Right of Women to Worship

On 28 September 2018, the Supreme Court struck down Rule 3(b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules of 1965 in a 4:1 verdict, paving the way for all women, irrespective of age, to enter the Sabarimala temple. Two similarly worded notifications in 1955 and 1956 had been issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board prohibiting those who did not observe the usual vrithams and women between the ages of 10 and 55 from entering the temple by stepping on to the pathinettampadi. The two notifications were also quashed.

Rule 3(b) of the 1965 rules reads: Women at such time during which they are not by custom and usage allowed to enter a place of worship shall not be entitled to offer worship in any place of public worship.