Kottayam: The Kerala Police have lifted the prohibitory orders imposed at Erumely, about 25 km from Sabarimala, in Kottayam district. The restrictions were imposed after protests erupted over the LDF government's decision to implement the Supreme Court order that allowed women of all age groups to enter the temple.
The prohibitory orders were imposed in areas from the Erumely temple to Kanmala for seven days that ended on Friday. Additional district magistrate Alex Joseph said that there was no need to extend the curbs.
With the situation in Sabarimala easing, more pilgrims are heading to the hill shrine. The KSRTC has also increased its services to Sabarimala. Wayside shops are also being set up at Sabarimala.
However, the prohibitory orders clamped in Sabarimala and surrounding areas had been extended till November 26.
Amid the stand-off over entry of women of menstrual age into the Lord Ayyappa temple, the state government informed the High Court that two days could be set apart for women pilgrims of all age groups to offer prayers at the shrine.
Though nearly 60 days have gone by since the Supreme Court delivered its historic verdict, no woman in the traditionally barred age group of 10-50 has been able to set foot in the hallowed precincts of the shrine
Hundreds of police personnel have been deployed in Sabarimala following protests by Ayyappa devotees opposing the September 28 apex court order.
The temple was opened on November 16 for the over-two-month pilgrimage season amid tension.
