There Are Temples Where Only Women Can Go : Centre To Supreme Court In Sabarimala Reference

The Union Government today argued that there can be either male or female-centric restrictions imposed by the religions, and it has nothing to do with gender stereotypes or patriarchy. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta(for the Union) concluded his arguments today on the Sabarimala reference being heard by a nine-judge Constitution bench on the larger issues of religious freedom.

Mehta told the Court that the 2018 Sabarimala judgment, which allowed entry of women of all ages to the temple, is wrong as it proceeds on the presumption that men are superior and women are on a lower pedestal. Whereas, the restriction has nothing to do with gender. 

"In my written submissions...I have given instances of temples where men are not allowed because it is a Devi Bhagwati temple, and there are some faith and beliefs. I have mentioned the details that there are male priests are under a religious mandate to wash the feet of women devotees. There are temples, like Pushkar temple, the only Brahma temple, in the country where married men are not allowed."

He added: "There are certain temples where-there is one temple in Kerala where the system is, men will go dressed as women and I read it in detail that they go to a beauty parlour and lady family members help them [get] dressed wearing a saree and other things. And only males go. So, it is not male-centric or female-centric religious belief, and this particular instance happens to be women-centric."

The Centre has maintained that the 2018 judgment is a wrong declaration of law. 

In his written submissions, SG Mehta has stated that Hinduism is the only religion in the world where Goddesses are not only worshipped, but men touch their feet and become devotees of sacred "mother goddesses".

He has given the example of Attukal Temple in Kerala, where men are not allowed to enter the temple, which also sees one of the largest gatherings of women during the Pongal festival. 

Then, the Chakkulathukavu temple in Kerala, where the male priest washes the feet of women devotees who have been fasting for 10 days. During 'Naari Puja', only women are allowed to enter the temple. 

As per his submissions, in Kottankulangara Sree Devi Temple, men adorn themselves in women's attire to show their devotion to the mother Goddess.

"This event is an ultimate display of faith where men meticulously shave, go to beauty parlors and apply make-up, don colourful sarees and go to seek blessings of mother goddess. Men get new sarees purchased; blouses tailored and are helped by their wives and female relatives to get properly dressed as women."

Other examples include the Lord Brahma temple in Rajasthan, the Bhagawati Maa Temple in Kanyakumari, and the Mata temple in Muzaffarpur and the Kamrup Kamakhya Temple in Assam.

Read reportage from Day 1: Not Reviewing Sabarimala Verdict In Reference; Only Considering Constitutional Questions, Says Supreme Court;

Judgment Allowing Women Entry In Sabarimala Temple Wrong: Centre Tells Supreme Court In 9-Judge Bench Reference;

India Not Patriarchal Or Gender Stereotyped As The West Understands : Solicitor General To Supreme Court In Sabarimala Reference;

'There Can't Be Untouchability For 3 Days A Month', Justice Nagarathna On Article 17 Application In Sabarimala Case

Read reportage from Day 2: Sampradayas Attached To Temple Must Be Followed While Visiting It: Supreme Court In Sabarimala Reference Hearing;

Excluding Other Denominations From Temples Will Affect Hinduism : Supreme Court In Sabarimala Reference Hearing