KERALA ON HIGH ALERT AS SABARIMALA TEMPLE REOPENS TODAY; 2,300 COPS, WOMEN PERSONNEL DEPLOYED

Weeks after violent protests rocked the state of Kerala after SC allowed women of all ages into the Sabarimala Temple, the revered shrine is all set to reopen today.

With the gates set to open today, 'God's own country' is on high alert. 2,300 personnel, including a 20-member commando team and 100 women, have been deployed to ensure smooth 'darshan' and security of devotees, a move that came in for criticism from the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress for such fortification.

The authorities added that if necessary, around 30 women police personnel in the rank of circle inspector and sub-inspector and above the age of 50 would be deployed at 'Sannidhanam' (temple complex) for security.

This is the second time the temple will open its gates after the ape court's historic verdict.
Massive protests had rocked the temple last month and around a dozen women in the age group of 10-50 were prevented from reaching the shrine as protesting devotees sought to “protect” their customs and beliefs.

The shrine will open at 5 pm for the "Sree Chitira Atta Thirunal" special puja slated for the next day, marking the birthday of last king of Travancore Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, and close at 10 pm on that day.

*With inputs from NDTV and News18*