35-year-old woman enters Sabarimala temple

SABARIMALA: Purification ceremony was held at the Lord Ayyappa temple, after a woman,under the restricted age category, entered the Sabarimala temple on Monday. Saraswathi, 35, of Andhra Pradesh, was taken into custody by Sannidhanam Police after she was caught under suspicious circumstances by an alert RAF security man. On notification, Sabarimala executive officer M Satheeshkumar requested Thantri Kandararu Maheswararu to perform ‘Panchapunyaham’ to purify the premises.The thantri conducted purification ceremony in front of the Sreekovil, sub-gods, in front of the golden flagmast, holy steps and sopanam at 3 p.m.After the purification ceremony, the temple was opened for darsan at 3.15 p.m. Similar instances, where women have entered the temple, had occurred at Sabarimala during this ongoing season itself, sources said. The authorities have been blamed for serious security lapses. Such unfortunate incidents would hurt the sentiments of the devotees, sources said.