Women in churidar can't pray at Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, rules Kerala High Court

Kochi: In a major development, the Kerala High Court on Thursday ruled that women in churidar cannot pray at Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple.

A woman advocate, Riya Raji, had challenged the customary dress code - a saree - for women entering the famed temple.

The court last month directed the Executive Officer of the temple, KN Satish, to take an appropriate decision after speaking to all concerned and intimate the court.

On November 28, Satish informed the High Court that it had been decided to allow women in churidar also to enter the temple.

The next day, things turned chaotic after strong opposition from various Hindu organisations who called this a gross breach of the temple tradition.

While some women entered the temple in churidar, many were turned away by protesters. Satish told the protesters to approach the high court.

A few years back, the Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayoor in Kerala also allowed the entry of churidar-wearing women.

(With agency inputs)