A purification ceremony was performed at the Lord Ayyappa temple here on Monday after a 35-year-old woman entered the shrine and offered worship in violation of the custom barring entry of girls and women in the 10-50 age group.
The ceremony was performed at the 18 sacred steps ( pathinettam padi ) leading to the main temple, and near the sanctum sanctorum, temple administration officials said.
Temple tantri (traditional high priest) led the purification ceremony, Travancore Devaswom Board officials said.
The woman, identified as Saraswathi from Andhra Pradesh, managed to climb the highly-revered 18 steps, entered the temple complex and offered worship on Monday afternoon.
She was spotted by Rapid Action Force personnel while she was near Mallikapuram sub-temple in the complex.
RAF personnel handed her over to the local police, who, however, let her go and did not register any case.
Jayamala case
A controversy broke out in 2006 after Kannada actor of yesteryear Jayamala claimed to have entered the temple during her prime and touched the idol of the presiding deity, claiming that she was pushed into the sanctum sanctorum by the surging crowd.
A case was registered against Jayamala and a charge sheet was filed in a court last year against her in connection with her claim but it was stayed by the Kerala High Court last October.
