Protesters attempt to block women from heading to Sabarimala

Sabarimala, the centuries-old temple believed to be the abode of Lord Ayyappa, opens today. The temple, as the Supreme Court has ordered, will be open to women of all ages, breaking with age-old tradition that forbade the entry into the temple of women of menstruating age.

Devotees, however, have opposed the Supreme Court order and have vowed to prevent women of menstrual age from entering Sabarimala temple.