Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president Prayar Gopalakrishnan has come out strongly against Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) senior pracharak and Balagokulam founder M.A. Krishnan’s statement that Sabarimala pilgrims needed to observe only a fortnight’s religious regimen before pilgrimage.
Mr. Gopalakrishnan told reporters here on Monday that Mr. Krishnan’s observation went against the 41-day regimen followed by devotees ahead of the pilgrimage.
“Mr. Krishnan had suggested it as a solution to the controversy over permitting women to enter the Ayyappa temple. His statement amounts to negation of the customs and tradition of the temple in vogue for the past more than 800 years. The board, in line with the tradition, had ensured that no woman was present in the precincts of the Pampa during the ‘Arat’ ceremony. Even women police constables were kept at bay,” he said.
