Sabarimala: Ending hours-long drama and tense moments at Sabarimala, two women reached the hilltop on Friday but were denied entry to the sanctum sanctorum following massive protests by Lord Ayyappa devotees.
A large number of devotees blocked the young women and police team escorting them at Valiya Nadappandhal, the queue complex located a few metres away from the holy 'pathinettam padi' (the 18 sacred steps), leading to the sanctum sanctorum.
The women were identified as a reporter from Hyderabad in her late 20s and an activist from Kerala.
The devotees, including senior citizens and children, protested against the entry of women of menstrual age group into the hill shrine.
The situation was brought under control after the women agreed to return as the state government made it clear it did not want to take them to the Sannidhanam, the temple complex, by using force against the protesting devotees.
The 'tantri' (head priest) made it clear he would close the temple if the women were escorted into the sanctum sanctorum also advised them to return as per instructions of the police.
Though the women had earlier insisted they should reach the shrine, police later convinced them about the seriousness of the situation and conveyed the stand taken by the government and the head priest.
If they had reached the shrine, they would have been the first women from the menstruating age group to visit the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala after the Supreme Court order permitting women of all age groups to enter the shrine.
Inspector General S Sreejith, who led the police team escorting the women, later told reporters the women had expressed their willingness to go back.
"The tantri has informed me that he will close the temple and go if the women enter the shrine complex. It was conveyed to the women, and they have expressed their willingness to go back. We will give them protection, in the same manner, to climb down the hills," he said.
Devotees responded to the announcement with loud chanting of "Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa".