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This year too, many women pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh hope to make it to Sabarimala temple

Vijayawada: Around 200 women from Andhra Pradesh , including those within the age-group of 15 and 45 attempted the Sabarimala pilgrimage after the Supreme Court’s verdict last year. This year, around 160 women from the state have registered for the same.

According to sources in Sabarimala, many of the same women who had tried their luck last year are taking a second attempt this year.



Many of these women are from the capital region of Amaravati. Some of them are from parts of Nellore, Krishna and Prakasam districts.

According to data from the Kerala police, around 50 per cent of the 319 women aged between 15 and 45 who have registered for the pilgrimage are from Andhra Pradesh. Interestingly, no woman pilgrim from Kerala has registered with the police for darshan.

Sources in the Kerala police indicated that the number of women pilgrims from the two Telugu-speaking states have been rising consistently. However, with the recent news report of 10 women from Andhra Pradesh aged between 15 and 50 being sent back, women pilgrims continue to be skeptical about being able to make the trip.

“Last year, I understood that the judgement was a bit sudden and was against an age-old tradition, which is why I intended to try again this year hoping that the situation would calm down. But there seems to be no chance this year or any other year either,” said Divya, a resident of Guntur.

Another woman pilgrim who spoke to TOI on condition of anonymity said that it was her dream to go to Sabarimala. “I have visited several temples including the Shani Shingnapur in Maharashtra. I am not into politics, debate or activism. I genuinely want to go to the temple . I refuse to believe those who claim to speak on behalf of the deity,” she said.

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