Bhumata Brigade leader and Pune-based activist Trupti Desai comes out from Kochi Commissionerate Office after their cancelelation of pilgrimage to Sabarimala, in Kochi. Desai announced the decision to go back to Maharashtra after police, citing security reasons, denied them protection amid protests by devotees, members of a right wing outfit and BJP here, against their entry into the shrine.
Police personnel detain a protestor during a demonstration by various Hindu organisations against the entry of activist Trupti Desai and other women at Sabarimala temple, outside police commissioner's office in Kochi. The protest ended after the commissioner assured protestors that the police would not be providing any security to women visiting the temple.
Thandri Kandaru Mahesh Mohanaru with Melsanthi A.K Sudheer Namboothi before opening the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala.
Police personnel examine a 12-year-old girl from Puducherry, who had come to offer prayers at Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. Women police examined the girl's aadhar card and found that she was 12 years old and refused to allow her to proceed further from Pamba to the shrine complex.
Sabarimala devotees light lamps in a formation that reads 'Om' at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. A five-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court referred the crucial rights-versus-belief dispute in the hill shrine Sabarimala to a larger seven-member bench.
Senior Congress leader and advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi addresses a press conference at Supreme Court during the verdict in the Sabarimala case, in New Delhi. The SC today said restrictions on women in religious places was not limited to Sabarimala alone and was prevalent in other religions as well as it referred all review pleas to a larger seven-judge bench.
Sabarimala petitioner Radhakrishnan Varanikal with others member's of Aiyappa Dharma Parishad at Supreme Court during the verdict in the Sabarimala case, in New Delhi. The SC today said restrictions on women in religious places was not limited to Sabarimala alone and was prevalent in other religions as well as it referred all review pleas to a larger seven-judge bench.
Lord Ayyappa Temple, in Sabarimala, Kerala. The Supreme Court today said restrictions on women in religious places was not limited to Sabarimala alone and was prevalent in other religions as well as it referred all review pleas to a larger seven-judge bench.
Rahul Easwar, president of the Ayyappa Dharma Sena, at a press meet in connection with the Sabarimala temple issue, in Kochi.
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate KP Prakash babu being welcomed by his party workers after Kerala High Court granted him conditional bail in an alleged attack on a woman devotee at the Sabarimala temple, at Railway station in Kozhikode
Devotees and members of Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) participate in a march 'Walk for Ayyappa' in relation to violence faced by devotees at Sabarimala's Ayyappa temple, in Kolkata.
Members of Ayyappa Dharma Samrakshana Samithi (Delhi and NCR) display placards during a protest over Sabarimala issue, at Connaught Place in New Delhi.
Members of Ayyappa Dharma Samrakshana Samithi (Delhi and NCR) display placards during a protest over Sabarimala issue, at Connaught Place in New Delhi.
Members of Ayyappa Dharma Samrakshana Samithi (Delhi and NCR) display placards during a protest over Sabarimala issue, at Connaught Place in New Delhi.
Kanaka Durga, one of the two women who recently made history after entering the Sabarimala temple in their menstrual age, being shifted to a hospital for treatment after she was allegedly beaten up by her mother-in-law, in Kozhikode.
Members of Bajrang Dal hold the torch-lights during a protest demanding to withdraw all the cases against Ayyappa devotees, and other demands, in Bengaluru.
BJP General Secretary and Rajya Sabha member Saroj Pandey, MP V Muralidharan and others coming out of the Rashtrapati Bhavan after meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind on the Sabarimala issue, in New Delhi.
BJP MPs hold placards as they stage a protest against the attack on BJP Rajya Sabha MP V. Muraleedharan's residence in Tahlassery, Kerala, in front of Gandhi statue during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi.
BJP MPs raise slogans against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan regarding Sabarimala issue during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi.
State owned buses vandalized during Thursday's general strike are paraded before the public in Thiruvananthapuram, in Kerala.
Kerala state transport corporation buses damaged during a strike over the Sabarimala issue, in Thiruvananthapuram.
BJP workers hurls bricks and stones at the CPI office following their protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, in Palakkad.
BJP workers burn an effigy of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during a protest over the Sabarimala issue, in Kanyakumari.
BJP workers burn an effigy of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during a protest over the Sabarimala issue, in Kanyakumari.
Hindu Makkal Katchi activists stop a train during a protest against the entry of two women into the Sabarimala temple, in Coimbatore.
A members of Ayyappa Dharma Samrakshana Samithi (Delhi and NCR) during a scuffle with police at a protest over the Sabarimala issue, at Kerala House, in New Delhi.
Members of Ayyappa Dharma Samrakshana Samithi (Delhi and NCR) burn an effigy of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during a protest over the Sabarimala issue, at Kerala House, in New Delhi.
Members of Ayyappa Dharma Samrakshana Samithi (Delhi and NCR) display placards and raise slogans during a protest over the Sabarimala issue, at Kerala House, in New Delhi.
A member of Ayyappa Dharma Samrakshana Samithi (Delhi and NCR) during a scuffle with media persons during a protest over the Sabarimala issue, at Kerala House, in New Delhi.
Members of Ayyappa Dharma Samrakshana Samithi (Delhi and NCR) beat an effigy of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with slippers during a protest over the Sabarimala issue, at Kerala House, in New Delhi.
Shop owners stage a protest demanding protection during the statewide hartal called by pro-Hindutva outfits against the entry of two women into the Lord Ayyappa Temple (Sabarimala), in Kozhikode.
Deserted roads during Congress party's statewide 'black day' strike on the issue of the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, in Kozhikode.
Police personnel patrol at a closed market during Congress party's statewide 'black day' strike on the issue of the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, in Kozhikode.
BJP activists stage a protest march against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, in Kochi.
Lord Ayyappa devotees stage a protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, in Bengaluru.
A Youth Congress activist, who had come to wave black flag at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the Sabarimala issue, falls after a minor knock by the CM convoy's pilot vehicle, in Thiruvananthapuram.
A road stands deserted during a strike call by Sabarimala Karma Samithi, an umbrella organization of Hindu groups, in Thiruvananthapuram.
A view of a deserted road outside the main bus terminus during a general strike in state capital Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala.
A view of the main bus terminus after the bus schedules were cancelled during a general strike in state capital Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala.
Stranded passengers wait at the main train station during a general strike in state capital Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala.
Commuters are transported on a police van after the bus schedules were cancelled during a general strike in state capital Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala.
Policemen stand guard during a march by Bharatiya Janata Party activists as part of a strike call by Sabarimala Karma Samithi, an umbrella organization of Hindu groups, in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala. Hindu hard-liners shut shops and businesses and clashed with police in the state to protest the entry of two women in one of India's largest Hindu pilgrimage sites.
Lord Ayyappa devotees stage a protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, in Hubbali.
Lord Ayyappa devotees stage a protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, in Bengaluru.
Lord Ayyappa devotees stage a protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, in Bengaluru.
Members of Sabarimala Seva Samithi and Ayyappa Devotees stage a protest against the state government denouncing the entry of two women, in their 40s, into Sabarimala shrine, in Bengaluru.
MPs from Kerala stage a protest over the issue of the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi.
Security personnel guard at the Lord Ayyappa Temple which was shut down for 'purification' after two women, in their early 40s, entered the shrine and offered prayers, in Sabarimala, Kerala.
Congress workers hold a rally after women entered Sabarimala temple, in Kochi. The Sabarimala temple was shut down for ritual "purification" briefly after the two women entered the shrine.
Policemen stand guard near the state secretariat anticipating protests following reports of two women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala temple, one of the world's largest Hindu pilgrimage sites, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Opposition Congress party activists burn an effigy of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reacting to reports of two women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala temple, one of the world's largest Hindu pilgrimage sites, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
A policeman chases away protesters during a protest against the entry of two women to the Sabarimala temple, in Thiruvananthapuram.
Policemen chase away a protester during a protest against the entry of two women to the Sabarimala temple, in Thiruvananthapuram.
BJP Mahila Morcha members argue with the police officers during a protest against the entry by two women to the Lord Ayyappa Temple, in Kochi.
BJP Mahila Morcha members stage a protest against the entry by two women to the Lord Ayyappa Temple, in Kochi.
Priests carry out 'purification' of the Lord Ayyappa Temple after two women in their early 40s entered the shrine and offered prayers, in Sabarimala.
Priests carry out 'purification' of the Lord Ayyappa Temple after two women in their early 40s entered the shrine and offered prayers, in Sabarimala, Kerala.
Policemen take position outside the state secretariat anticipating protests following reports of two women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala temple, one of the world's largest Hindu pilgrimage sites, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Protestors block traffic and shout slogans reacting to reports of two women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala temple, one of the world's largest Hindu pilgrimage sites, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Protestors block traffic and shout slogans reacting to reports of two women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala temple, one of the world's largest Hindu pilgrimage sites, in Thiruvananthapuram. India's Supreme Court on Sept. 28, 2018 lifted the ban on women of menstruating age from entering the temple, holding that equality is supreme irrespective of age and gender.
Protestors hold a picture of Lord Ayyappa during a protest called by various Hindu organisations in Kochi after two women entered the Sabarimala temple.
Women hold oil lamps by a roadside as they protest a Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry of women of menstruating age at the Sabarimala temple, one of the world's largest Hindu pilgrimage sites, in Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala, India.
Women hold oil lamps by a roadside as they protest a Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry of women of menstruating age at the Sabarimala temple, one of the world's largest Hindu pilgrimage sites, in Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala. As part of a statewide protest devotees lit lamps for 30 minutes by major roads from the northern end to the southern end the state of Kerala.
People take part in the 'Ayyappa Jyothi' programme (lighting of lamp) in Kottayam district of Kerala.
People take part in the 'Ayyappa Jyothi' programme (lighting of lamp) outside Kerala House in New Delhi.
Bindu and Kanakadurga, the two women from Kerala who reached Marakootam, just one kilometre away from the Sannidhanam, in their attempt to enter Sabarimala temple, being escorted by the police after a protest against them, in Pathanamthitta.
Journalist Kavitha Jakkal being escorted by the police to Sabarimala Temple, Kerala, Friday, Oct 19, 2018. Kavitha and activist Rehana Fathima were taken to the temple but the priest, reportedly, locked it and the women had to return mid-way.
Devotees wait to offer prayers at Lord Ayyappa temple on the first day of Malayalam month of 'Vrischikom,' in Sabarimala, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018.
Members of the Chennai-based "Manithi" wait at the foothills of the Lord Ayyappa Temple as devotees protested against their attempt to trek the shrine, at Pamba, in Pathanamthitta.
A policeman helps a girl to climb up the 18 sacred steps to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa shrine, in Sabarimala.
Policemen helps the devotees to climb up the 18 sacred steps for offering prayers at the Lord Ayyappa shrine, in Sabarimala.
Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan at Pamba, the last entry point to the Lord Ayyappa shrine.
Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan talks with a police official at Nilakkal, in Pathanamthitta.
BJP Member of Parliament (MP) from Karnataka Nalin Kumar Kateel (R) along with party leader and MP V Muraleedharan visits Lord Ayyappa Temple while undertaking a tour of Sabarimala to study the situation arising out of allowing women of all age groups to enter the shrine.
Devotees queue up to offer prayers at Lord Ayyappa temple during the Malayalam month of 'Vrischikom,' in Sabarimala.
Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan starts his journey to Sabarimala, from Nagercoil.
Police personnel help a devotee climb up the 18 holy steps at Sabarimala Sannidhanam, in Sabarimala.
Hindu Aikya Vedi leader KP Sasikala climbs up the 18 sacred steps to offer prayers at Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala.
BJP's Kerala state general secretary K Surendran being taken into preventive detention near Sabarimala by the state police when he came to visit Sabarimala.
Devotees queue up to offer prayers at Lord Ayyappa temple on the 2nd day of Malayalam month of 'Vrischikom,' in Sabarimala.
Police personnel assist the devotees to climb up the 18 sacred steps of the Lord Ayyappa temple for offering prayers, on the 2nd day of Malayalam month of 'Vrischikom,' in Sabarimala.
Police personnel detain the devotees who were staging 'Namajapa' protest against the police restrictions at Sannidhanam, in Sabarimala.
Devotees stage 'Namajapa' protest against the police restrictions, at Sannidhanam, in Sabarimala. The devotees were reportedly refused permission to halt at Malikappuram.
Devotees stage 'Namajapa' protest against the police restrictions, at Sannidhanam, in Sabarimala. The devotees were reportedly refused permission to halt at Malikappuram.
Police personnel detain the devotees who were staging 'Namajapa' protest against the police restrictions at Sannidhanam, in Sabarimala.
Police personnel stand guard as the Sabarimala temple opens for a two-month long pilgrim season, in Sabarimala.
Protesters block the arrival gate of the domestic terminal after women’s rights activist Trupti Desai arrived at the Cochin International Airport to visit the Sabarimala temple, in Kochi.
Women’s rights activist Trupti Desai (R) and other women pilgrims wait at the Cochin International Airport after protesters blocked the arrival gate of the domestic terminal, in Kochi. Desai, arrived today morning to visit the Sabarimala temple on November 17.
National Ayyappa Devotees Association (NADA) Lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara, talks to the media persons at Supreme Court, in New Delhi. The Supreme Court is scheduled to consider a batch of petitions seeking review of its 28 September verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.
