Barkha Dutt The standoff at Sabarimala temple sullies India’s progress on women’s rights For months, there have been violent protests and riots over the entry of women at Sabarimala January 6 ...

Udayasthamana pooja, ashtabhishekam, pushpabhishekam and padi pooja were the other rituals held at the temple. The temple will be closed on June 19 after athazha pooja and harivarasanam at 10pm.

The popular pilgrimage spot is visited by more than 50 million people a year. Devotees gather at the Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, a Hindu deity celebrated for his avowed celibacy.

It’s unclear whether women will be allowed to enter the temple when it opens its doors Saturday, although the Supreme Court said Thursday that its September 2018 decision – that the ban on ...