The Kerala Government, has ordered the Travancore Devaswom Board’s (TDB) vigilance wing, to investigate into the matter, that women younger than 50 years, had entered the Sabarimala Temple.

Some photographs of women devotees praying in a temple, in the restricted age group, were captured at Sabarimala. However, the faces of these women were not seen though, as the pictures were taken from behind, following which the allegations surfaced that the women were not above 50. Meanwhile, the police officials, who were in charge of screening the devotees, have stated that though the women looked young, they were above the age group of 50, and said, they were examined and even produced valid proofs for age.

The women, have secured the “VIP darshan facility”, with the help of a leading cashew businessman in Kollam, who is a known Sabarimala devotee, says sources, following which the Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran, received a complaint. A per the custom at the Sabarimala shrine, the entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50 is restricted.

However, there were even rumors that the photos could have been photoshopped. To put all these rumors to an end, the Devaswom minister has ordered an enquiry. The minister said in a statement, “If anybody is enjoying undue benefits in the name of VIP darshan, it would be strictly checked.”

Meanwhile, a fresh allegation was raised over the opening time of the temple on the Vishu day. It was alleged that the opening time of the temple was changed in violation of the temple rituals. However, the close to the temple claimed that, it was the temple “thantri” (Vedic head priest), who used to decided the opening time and that there was no change in the same practice this year also.

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