Thiruvananthapuram: The Supreme Court on September 28 passed a judgment allowing the entry of women of all ages into Kerala's renowned Sabarimala temple, the Supreme Court ordered, ending the age-old ban. 

Thousands of people belonging to several Hindu organisations are staging massive protests in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Palakkad districts of Kerala. They raised their voice against the Supreme Court order allowing women of all age groups to enter Sabarimala temple. And these protests are witnessed in neighbouring states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu too.

A section of women question why they can't enter temples while menstruating? 

"I have observed that my mother doesn't go to the temple when she has her periods. When I got my periods while studying in Class 9, my mom told me that we are not supposed to enter the temple while we are menstruating.  The question that I immediately has was whether periods is such a bad thing? My mother said that we don't enter the temple because our ancestors didn't do it, so we too follow it. And she also said if I wish to enter a temple while I have my periods then I can, it's just up to me. But frankly, I didn't feel like entering the temple while menstruating. It may be because my mom didn't force me to not enter a temple," said Anjima Nadacherry, a Kannur native. 

Some women question the orthodox elements associated with it too.

"I never had any qualms about entering a temple while menstruating. When I got my periods, my mom and grand mom stopped me from entering the kitchen and even the living room and they strictly said I should not even look at the pooja room. My brother never had any such restrictions at any given point in time. Why is it so? They have many orthodox answers to my questions. But I protest," said Reshmi Rameshan, a law student from Kerala.

Restricting women's entry is not God-made, but man-made, say some.

"How will a person next to me understand know that I am menstruating? No one can realise it. The society makes these rules. However, I never believed in God, so I never entered any temple," said Sanvi Satheesh, a Kerala student.

Periods is a biological process and can't be considered impure is one trail of thought. But can this overrule traditional beliefs and faith?

Also read: 'Save Sabarimala' campaign: Activists refuse to donate money to shrine, offer prayers instead