- 19-Sep-2025
- Elder & Estate Planning law
The issue of women being denied entry to certain temple sanctums, especially in Hindu temples, has been a subject of controversy for years. Practices like these are rooted in religious and cultural beliefs that have existed for centuries. Certain temples, such as the famous Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, have strict bans on women of menstruating age (typically between 10 and 50 years) from entering the sanctum. These practices are often justified through religious texts, customs, or traditional beliefs, but they have come under increasing scrutiny in light of gender equality principles and legal challenges.
Cultural and Religious Beliefs: Many temples have long-standing cultural or religious practices that dictate who can enter the inner sanctum (the most sacred part of the temple). These restrictions are often linked to purity rituals, where women, especially during their menstruation period, are considered impure and, therefore, barred from entering certain areas of the temple.
Purity and Pollution Concepts: In some Hindu traditions, menstruation is considered a state of impurity, and it is believed that the entry of menstruating women into temples might disturb the sanctity of the holy place. This view stems from ancient beliefs about ritual purity, where women were seen as impure during their menstrual cycle, leading to the restriction of their entry to the sanctum.
Historical Precedents and Traditions: The denial of entry to women is not a universal practice across all Hindu temples but is specific to certain ones. These customs have been passed down through generations and have become deeply ingrained in the temple’s traditions. They are seen as part of the spiritual discipline associated with worship in those specific temples.
Social and Gender Norms: Social customs and patriarchal norms have also played a role in perpetuating this practice. Historically, women’s roles in religious spaces were often limited, with men having more direct access to sacred rituals. These practices reflect broader societal gender norms, where women’s autonomy and participation in spiritual activities are restricted.
Ritualistic Practices: In some temples, the restrictions are tied to specific rituals or vows that are believed to be disturbed by the presence of women, particularly menstruating women. For example, in the case of Sabarimala, devotees take a vow of celibacy and abstinence, which is seen as incompatible with the idea of menstruating women entering the temple.
Gender Equality Under the Constitution: The Indian Constitution guarantees equality for all citizens, including women, under Articles 14, 15, and 21. These provisions protect individuals from discrimination based on sex and ensure equal rights. Denying women entry into religious spaces based solely on their gender contradicts the constitutional principle of equality and non-discrimination.
Supreme Court Intervention: In the 2018 Sabarimala case, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the ban on women entering the Sabarimala Temple violated the right to equality, freedom of religion, and the right to worship. The Court held that women, regardless of their menstrual status, should be allowed entry into the temple. However, the ruling sparked widespread protests and opposition from religious groups, who argued that it interfered with their religious beliefs.
Balancing Religious Freedom and Constitutional Rights: The debate on whether women should be allowed into temples touches on the balance between religious freedom and constitutional rights. While the right to practice and profess religion is protected under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, this right cannot be used to justify discrimination. The question arises whether religious practices that discriminate against women should be allowed to persist or whether they should be reformed in the spirit of equality.
Gender Inequality: Practices that bar women from certain sacred spaces reinforce gender inequality by suggesting that women are inherently unworthy or impure to perform certain spiritual acts. Such practices perpetuate the idea that men are spiritually superior or more deserving of participation in sacred rituals.
Women’s Rights Movements: The issue of women’s entry into temple sanctums has been a focal point for women’s rights movements in India. Activists argue that such restrictions violate women’s fundamental rights and advocate for reforms to ensure that religious practices align with modern principles of gender equality.
Changing Perspectives: Many younger generations of women are challenging these age-old practices. Increasingly, there is a push to allow women equal access to religious spaces, asserting that religious institutions should evolve with contemporary values of gender equality and social justice.
The Sabarimala case is one of the most prominent examples where women were denied entry due to religious practices. The Supreme Court’s ruling in 2018 declared that the ban on women’s entry violated their constitutional rights, but the decision was met with intense protests by religious groups. The Kerala state government initially supported the ruling, but the issue remains divisive in the broader society, illustrating the tension between religious traditions and modern legal frameworks advocating for gender equality.
Another example involves the Shani Shingnapur Temple in Maharashtra, where women were previously barred from entering the inner sanctum of the temple. After years of protests, in 2016, the temple management allowed women to enter the sanctum, marking a shift towards gender inclusivity in religious spaces.
The denial of entry to women in certain temple sanctums is a practice rooted in cultural, religious, and historical beliefs about gender and purity. However, such practices conflict with the principles of gender equality and individual rights under the Indian Constitution. Legal interventions, such as the Supreme Court's ruling in the Sabarimala case, and social movements pushing for equality are gradually challenging and reforming these discriminatory practices. The issue reflects the broader debate on how religious traditions should adapt to contemporary values of equality, justice, and human rights.
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