AIR 1993 KERALA 42

Kerala High Court

Hon'ble Judge(s): K. S. Paripoornan, K. P. B. Marar , JJ

(A) Constitution of India , Art.15, Art.25, Art.26(b)— Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act (7 of 1965) , S.3— Rules framed under R.3 - Place of public worship - Right of entry and worship ­ Sabarimala temple Prohibition on entry of woman of particular age group - Does not offend Art.15, Art.25, Art.26 of Constitution or S.3 of Act. Temple - Public temple - Prohibition on entry of woman.Religious rights - Entry in temple - Prohibition of woman - Legality. The restriction imposed on woman aged above 10 and below 50 from trekking the holy hills of Sabarimala and offering worship at Sabarimala Shrine is in accordance with the usage prevalent from time immemorial. Such restriction imposed by the Devaswom Board is not violative of Arts. 15, 25 and of the Constitution of India. Such restriction is also not violative of the provisions of Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act, 1965 since there is no restriction between one Section and another Section or between one class and another class among the Hindus in the matter of entry to a temple whereas the prohibition is only in respect of woman of a particular age group and not woman as a class.(Para 44 26) There is a rationale behind the restriction in olden days pilgrims to this holy temple had to car....