Sabarimala: Should Courts Disturb Lord Ayyappa's Naisthika Brahmachari Status?

• Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, a major revenue earner in Kerala, is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board.
• The temple has faced historical attacks, including a 1950 arson and desecration, and a 1982 attempt to establish a Christian presence in Nilakkal.
• Lord Ayyappa is worshipped as a Naisthika Brahmachari (lifelong celibate), traditionally restricting women aged 15-50 from the temple.
• A 2018 Supreme Court ruling allowed all women entry, citing equality, but sparked massive protests due to perceived double standards compared to other religious sites.
• The article highlights various religious institutions (mosques, churches, other temples) with gender-specific entry restrictions, arguing for respect for such traditions.