hi gulshan
first dont belive what is being thrown in the electronic media.
The incident was a planned act by three famous people to gain certain weight in the public and get some money from the Devaswam Board of kerala, the regulating authority who controls the temples in kerala. One astrologer tells during a 'devaprasnam' that a female has touched the brahmachary Lord Ayyappa. By hearing this there was a big outcry amoung the hindus and later one kannada actress claimed that she was the one who touched the idol. so CBI and other agencies came into picture and media started telling jender bias. There is nothing as such and all these happened because of some cheaters.

Shalu Joseph wrote:
[quote]hi gulshan
first dont belive what is being thrown in the electronic media.
The incident was a planned act by three famous people to gain certain weight in the public and get some money from the Devaswam Board of kerala, the regulating authority who controls the temples in kerala. One astrologer tells during a 'devaprasnam' that a female has touched the brahmachary Lord Ayyappa. By hearing this there was a big outcry amoung the hindus and later one kannada actress claimed that she was the one who touched the idol. so CBI and other agencies came into picture and media started telling jender bias. There is nothing as such and all these happened because of some cheaters.[/quote]

Are women allowed to enter the temple? if not, this is gender bias. If the astrologer told that a woman had touched the deity, what is the issue. The issue is that the temple authorities do not want women in temples. This is definitely gender bias.

The issue of gender bias in the temple is gaining interest in media. See the following link;

http://in.yfittopostblog.com/2010/12/15/jayamala-chargesheet-reignites-temple-entry-debate/

sorry for the delay in reply Gulshan. The Lord Ayyappa is a Brahmachary who does not want females to see him. More over the temple is situated in dense reserve forest. To visit the temple you have to walk some 6 kms up a hill and then reach the temple. And the traditional things which are followed for a long period of time does not want a change also.

I too won't consider it as a gender bias.Some traditions which is followed from a very long period of time cannot be changed in just a moment.Girls should not visit the temple after attaining puberty.There must be some good old reasons behind it.The people try to make money by creating some sort of silly issues.

thanks for supporting my view nagalaxmi

pls see

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=9.435049,77.081355&spn=0.003133,0.005659&t=h&z=18

It is very sad to see that many controversies are arising around such a divine and a sacred place sabarimala. :( :(

Gulshan it is not gender bias at though it looks like that as there is a story behind sabarmali and god doesnt not want to females to visit the temple due to some reason which is clearly stated...only old and very young females can visit the temple..

And any belief or tradition is not good to change and is also not good for humans...but now the controversy created is simply ridiculous.

those who visited my prev link might have noticed that the temple itself situated in Dense jungle. Elephant and tiger seeings are common there Also not much modern faciities are offered These are all the reasons for the administration in the past to refrain females from enteting the temple. Now we can argue that the situation has changed is n't it ?

Rajani K wrote:
[quote]Gulshan it is not gender bias at though it looks like that as there is a story behind sabarmali and god doesnt not want to females to visit the temple due to some reason which is clearly stated...only old and very young females can visit the temple..

And any belief or tradition is not good to change and is also not good for humans...but now the controversy created is simply ridiculous.[/quote]

Gender bias is obvious. This is inherent in religious practices. But this is not a big issue. We should respect the temple traditions whatever these are. Some bias is everywhere. In many Orissa temples, non Hindus are not allowed entry. Indira Gandhi was also denied entry in Jagannath temple. This does not matter.

We should not exercise discrimination in daily life. What happens in temples is not very important.