Sabrimala temples cannot ban entry of women: Supreme Court

Women cannot be banned from the famous Sabarimala temple in Kerala, the Supreme Court said today, though it has not delivered a verdict yet on one of the most contentious features of the famous temple, which claims that women who menstruate are impure and must not be given access to the hilltop shrine. Women between the age of 10 and 50 are banned from entering the ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The rule, introduced by the powerful Travancore Devasom Board that maintains the temple, must be over-turned, a group of women lawyers have contended in their appeal to the top court.