A group of 11 Sabarimala-bound Maniti activists led by the progressive women's organisation leader, Selvi, reached Pampa, in the foothills of Sabarimala, in the early hours of Sunday.
They reached Pampa from Tamil Nadu, crossing the border areas of Kambom-Kumily, in tight police protection.
The police protection team routed the van carrying the Maniti group through byroads, avoiding protests from Sabarimala Karma Samiti workers enroute.
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The priests at the Pampa Ganapati Temple declined to fill the customary Irumudikkettu for the women, saying that it involved violation of ritualistic tradition and practices at Sabarimala. However, six of the Maniti women managed to fill the Irumudikkettu themselves. Ms. Selvi said six of them would ascend the holy 18-steps leading to the Ayyappa Temple, while the remaining five women would go up to the Lower Tirumuttom.
The Maniti team moved towards the starting point of the trekking path at Chelikkuzhi, raising slogans that 'men and women are equals ('aanu, pennu samom' in Tamil) followed by 'Swamiyei Saranam Ayyappa' chants.
Meanwhile, a large number of protesters confronted them with loud chants of Sarana-ghosom (Naamajapom) around 5.15 a.m., preventing the Maniti group from moving ahead to the Sabarimala trekking path. The protesters blocked the path, chanting 'Swamiyei Saranam Ayyappa' chants.
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A large posse of police have also been deployed at Pampa. But, a police action against the protesters at Pampa appears to be bleak as it may affect the Ayyappa devotees undertaking the pilgrimage too. Meanwhile, pilgrims from different parts of South India too started joining the protesters.