Sabarimala: Transgenders, who were earlier denied entry, allowed to worship

Four transgenders draped in sarees, who were earlier denied permission to visit the Sabarimala temple on Sunday, December 16, completed their darshan of the Lord Ayyappa shrine on Tuesday, December 18, after securing permission.

Ananya, Trupti, Renjumol and Avanthika, clad in traditional black sarees and carrying the customary "Irrumudikettu"(sacred offerings to the deity), were escorted by police from Nilackal to Pamba.

They said they were extremely happy to have got the opportunity to offer prayers at the temple and that this was their life's mission which had been realised.

By 9.45am amidst tight security they were on the hallowed 18-steps and completed paying their obeisance to the deity. There were no protest from any quarter.

The four devotees were prevented by the police at Erumely from completing their climb to the hilltop temple after they wished to perform their darshan in sarees. The police had earlier turned them away, saying that they had to get some legal clarity on the issue.

They had then complained to Kottayam Superintendent of Police. Later on Monday, December 18, they even approached Kerala High Court-appointed Director General of Police A Hemachandran who is part of a three member committee overseeing the pilgrimage.

Later in the day, one of the transgenders, Ananya told the media they have secured permission.

The Kerala High Court on November 27 had set up the three-member observer panel to oversee the Sabarimala pilgrimage season, after numerous complaints surfaced against the manner in which the police were acting in the temple town.

Besides Hemachandran, the panel also consisted of PR Raman and S Sirijagan, both retired high court judges.

The Committee got in touch with the Sabarimala tantri and the Pandalam Royal family, who gave their nod for it.

This particular group got the nod as in the past too, transgenders have prayed at the temple.

The temple town has witnessed protests by Hindu groups since a September 28 Supreme Court verdict allowed women of all ages to enter the temple, including those hitherto banned girls and women aged between 10 and 50. Over a dozen women have so far made unsuccessful attempts to trek the holy hills.

Meanwhile, the shrine witnessed a big crowd of pilgrims on Tuesday.