"Traditions of temples should be protected"

Thiruvananthapuram: Terming as "unfortunate" the incidents that took place at Sabarimala over women's entry issue, spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi on Sunday said traditions of temples should be protected.

She was addressing a meeting organised by the Sabarimala Karma Samiti, a platform seeking protection of faith, culture and traditions of Sabarimala temple.

The Ayyappa Bhakta Sangamam (meeting of Ayyappa devotees), organised by the Samiti as part of its protest against the Kerala government's decision to implement the September 28 Supreme Court verdict, allowing women of all ages into Lord Ayyappa temple, was inaugurated by Amrithananda Mayi.

"The incidents that had happened at Sabarimala were unfortunate. It's necessary to follow the temple traditions. Each temple has got its own traditions," she told the gathering.

"Changes in the society are a necessity. But that should be done by protecting the traditions. Temples are the pillars of our culture and we need to protect them," Amrithananda Mayi added.

The meeting was attended by an array of spiritual and right-wing leaders at Putharikandam ground here.

The organisers claimed that over two lakh devotees from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta Alappuzha and Kottayam districts have taken part in the meet.