Violating the age old tradition and sanctity of the world famous Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala, a 35-year old Telugu woman on Monday went inside the temple hoodwinking the security forces and performed Pujas to the Lord.

The young lady, Saraswathi by name, posing as an old woman and walking with the support of a walking stick, entered the temple passing through the 18 sacred steps in front of the temple. Reports said that security forces saw her going up the steps with the support of a walking stick and thought she was very old. For this reason, she was not stopped by them.

After coming to know of her entry into the temple, temple chief priest performed purification of the sanctum sanctorum and the 18 sacred steps while the Darshan for the Ayyappa devotees was stopped during the purification process.

Entry into Ayyappa temple is banned for ladies running the age group of 10 to 50 years and generally no one would dare break the tradition.

Saraswathi was however caught by the Rapid Action Force personnel when they recognized she was a young lady and was heading to have darshan in a by-temple in the campus. She was later handed over to the local police.

Police admonished Saraswathi and left her with a warning after she pleaded ignorance of the temple rules and traditions.

It may be recalled that Kannada actress Jayamala made a sensational disclosure in 2006 that she visited the temple in her prime youth and also touched the statue of the Lord Ayyappa. The announcement led to a controversy and Kerala police have also registered a case against her.
(JUBS)