Are you curious to know why women are restricted to visit Sabarimala? Why doesn’t society restrict men from going to Sabarimala temple? Is Sabarimala the only temple that has restrictions? And what is the truth behind the restrictions? The article answers all your queries. Read through a blog to check out interesting facts about Sabarimala and the incredible science behind women’s restrictions to visit the temple.
Sabarimala – One of the most popular Hindu Pilgrims centers in India which is well-known for its unique customs and practices, rich history and legend. Above all that, people also made this temple famous for not only being “the talk of the town” but “the talk of the Nation” as a result of various controversies that arose against it. The Sabarimala temple issue is a highly debated and contentious topic in India that everyone in the country is aware of. It revolves around restricting the entry of women who are in their menstruating age (between 10 -50) It is widely known that there were so many conflicts between women and the government constantly sparking debates on this issue. It is broadly a misconceived concept among people who rebel against the government perceiving this issue with a tagline of “gender discrimination” whereas the real reason behind restricting women is still unknown among people.
Let’s set aside all the superstitions, fundamental rights, political unrest, and just look into the real reason behind restricting women from going to Sabarimala which has many genuine grounds.
1. Women in the Bygone era – Not a restriction but a precaution
While trying to understand the scientific reason behind restricting women from going to Sabarimala, you need to make your thoughts travel to ancient times. Generally speaking, en route to Sabarimala on those days was not easy. There were no proper roads or pavements. People had to pass through various rugged terrains and mountainous forest paths that were home to many wild animals like elephants, bison, leopards and most importantly vicious tigers. These animals had always been a threat to human beings who trekked through the forest to reach Sabarimala. It is said that tigers possess a heightened sense of smelling women more quickly than men. Thus people in the olden days suggested men not to take women along with them to the temple that is surrounded by 18 hills. They also advised men to carry beacons, lots of Sambrani (benzoin resin) and incense sticks, so that those objects can hinder tigers from smelling the body odour of the humans thereby reducing the chances of attacks.
Secondly, the majority of the women in the olden days were homely in nature and the predominant role that they played would have been taking care of their spouse, children and the entire family, where they prioritized other’s needs, wants and opinions before theirs. So there might not have been the idea of “Women empowerment” or “Second Thought” which might have made her lack the ability to determine their own choices through which they always abided by the rules and the decisions of their husband and society. Hence the primary reason for restricting the entry of women to Sabarimala was only concerned with safety and not domination.
2. Men and women’s Physiology – Not a discrimination but a disclaimer
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There would be a blast of controversies if the quote “Men are stronger than women” were highlighted in any place. The real fact is that men possess large hearts, leaner mass, and other muscle efficiencies. But that doesn’t signify that only men are stronger. Some people have a false notion that only men can toil and climb a hill that is 1,260 M (4,134 ft.) above sea level. It is a misjudgment to think that it would be challenging for a woman to take up the task of trekking to Sabarimala hills through arduous paths. The obscure reality is women too are stronger when it comes to flexibility, accuracy, determination and endurance and they can perform any task in the same relative intensity for a longer duration than men.
The concept of “inability” is a void for both men and women when it comes to performing a challenging task. As it was discussed earlier, women in the olden days were always family-oriented so they might not have had any idea of being an “outing personality” But, in contrast to the past, women in the present are enjoying various privileges like rights, individual choices and independence out of which they became highly proficient, well-planned, and expertise themselves in various field. Therefore it would not be tough for women to trek through the forest.
But on the other hand, if it was thought practically, then there are some difficulties to be noticed. Viewing from the ancient day’s perspective, you can visualize how the restroom facilities would have been in pathways that led to Sabarimala. It might have been an open space where only men felt easy and comfortable to pee, excrete and even to bathe and change clothes. So people considered the issue that hindered women’s comforts and triggered their insecurities out of which the olden society suggested only men to visit Sabarimala.
In this regard, this issue does not fall under the category of “Gender discrimination” but it is a “Disclaimer” which suggests that nothing is responsible for violating the comfort and security of women. Presently basic facilities in Sabarimala might have been enhanced but there are still uncertainties about women experiencing comfort (Both physically and mentally) and security throughout the journey. To be simple, the government wanted women to adhere to comfort and safety rather than risking themselves. This is another practical reason for restricting women from going to Sabarimala.
3. Restrictions – Rest and Respect for women
It is a popular incident where women fought against men and the government for banning them from entering Sabarimala. This political unrest was led by several women’s rights activists and organizations who saw the ban only as a violation of fundamental rights and gender equality. But they never understood the respect that the society has enclosed within the restrictions. Usually, men visit Sabarimala from the month of Karthigai (mid-November to mid-December) to the month of Thai (mid-January to mid-February).
Before heading towards Sabarimala, Men undertake a kind of fasting called “Brahmacharya Virtham” (Celibacy) dedicated to Lord Ayyappa which primarily focuses on physically staying away from women. All may be aware of the spiritual reason why Men stay away from women while they fast for Lord Ayyapa. But the actual reason will surprise you.
In the past, from household responsibilities to economic activities, women had numerous roles to play. Apart from that, a woman was supposed to constantly maintain an intimate relationship with her husband through which she gave birth to more children as they were sometimes seen as a source of labour. Hence women were frequently kept busy by the activities that they were compelled to do. Though only men fasted for Lord Ayyapa, women attained physical and mental relaxation as they maintained a distance from their spouses. Brahmacharya Virtham also suggests menstruating women refrain from cooking and doing other chores. This is not because of considering menstruating women as impure but considering their physical and mental well-being. By giving them time for rejuvenation and relaxation they could enjoy their own “Me Time “as the burden of household chores gets reduced.
4. Brahmacharya Virtham – Bridges gap and builds love
It is widely known by people that Brahmacharya Virtham – Celibacy is an act of abstaining from sexual relationships and another kind of intimacy. But they would have never come across the idea of celibacy building a strong bond between a man and his spouse. I caught your eyebrows raising! Think simple. Generally speaking, distance increases love and strengthens the bond between couples. So when there is a physical gap between a husband and his spouse they give themselves time to think, realise and understand the depth of their relationship. So there would be a sense of development in the intensity of their bond.
This Brahmacharya Virtham is an effective period that can make the grudges fade away that the couple once held towards each other. This fasting also makes them realize the fact that a couple cannot exist independently in a marital relationship, and one can successfully lead the journey of marriage through harmony if the husband and wife depend on each other and work together with cooperation. Hence women were advised to stay indoors and wait for the arrival of their husbands to give them a warm welcome after a long period.
5. Temple structure – Association with the human body
Before knowing the reason for women not being allowed to Sabarimala temple, you need to understand the shocking science behind the construction of the Hindu Temples. In Vedas, the human body is not just understood as a physical form called “Sthula Sharira” but as a subtle body called “Sukshma Sharira” which signifies the “Chakras in a human body”. Chakras means energies in the seven centers of the body. Therefore if one had to comprehend life he must perceive it on a subtle level. Every Hindu temple is architected in a way that directly corresponds to the chakras of the human body. These temples were built through a science called “Agama Shastra” through which tremendous energy fields are created through a process called consecration. These temples were tools to enhance the subtle body by activating the chakras. So if a person visits a temple, the elevated energy of the temple falls towards the lower energy chakras of the body. The energies that flows in the temple are as same as the energies in human being but in a more concentrated and powerful form.
6. Temple’s structure – impact on women’s gynecological health
There’s a metaphysical planning of a building called the “Vaastu Purusha Mandala” which represents a drawing of a man lying down, and as per the chakras of his body, the temple is built. For example, his feet represent the temple’s entrance, the belly region represents the open region, the head represents the sanctum and the place where his brows meet is where the idol is seated. Sabarimala temple is constructed in a way that can impact a woman’s gynecological health.
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Specific chakras in the human body can be related to the endocrine glands. The lower chakras in the body can be related to the reproductive organs which is considered important for female. The Devi temples are associated with fertility and the structure of the temple is constructed in a way that triggers the lower chakaras. That is the reason why in the olden days women who regularised the habit of visiting Devi Temples did not have any fertility issues. Sabarimala represents the “Ajna Chakra” (Upper Chakra) which triggers the pituitary gland. This gland plays a very important role in the reproductive process for both men and women but in a different way. Triggering of the pituitary gland releases testosterone in males which is responsible for masculine health. If a woman’s body has a continuous release of testosterone, and if the lower chakras are not activated equivalently to Ajna Chakra, (Upper Chakra) it may pave the way to gynecological health issues due to an imbalance of hormones.
7. Have you ever thought “Though there are many Ayyapa temples in India, why were women restricted only to visit Sabarimala?”
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This is also concerned with energy and not with discrimination or violation of freedom. In Sabarimala, the idol of Lord Ayyapa has been consecrated and energized in a way to withhold a specific kind of energy to emit it to the visitors. It is believed that only men can observe this energy whereas women are considered to be sensitive to it. Hence when a woman tries to enter the temple the energies might not be maintained in alignment therefore it can affect a woman’s physical and mental health.
Not only in South India, but also in places like Mount Athons – Greece and Mount Omain – Japan (More than 6000 feet high) there are monasteries where only males are allowed and females are strictly banned from entering. This is because of the high altitude of the mountains which will impact a woman’s reproductive health. Many research suggests that high altitude might cause infertility not only in humans but also in animals. Compared to those mountains, Sabarimala is just 1260m high and you might think that this will not affect reproductive health but there is a particular hill that needs to be crossed called the “Karimala” which is considered to be one of the tough hazardous points in Sabarimala where one must climb in seven levels. So due to the rugged terrain and the exertion of enormous physical force women might experience early menopause and other women-related health issues.
8. Celibacy – hack to help mental well-being
Celibacy when seen “spiritually” signifies “Restrictions” But when viewed scientifically it teaches discipline, patience and determination helping to attain a state of mental well-being. People who take up Brahmacharya Virtham abstain from habits like alcohol consumption, smoking, and eating meat and most importantly they refrain from sexual relationships. So the primary goal of this Viratham is to promote self-control and focus through self-discipline. This discipline goes beyond the physical act of refraining from intimacy to encompass emotional and mental control as well. Men give time for themselves for self-introspection, self-awareness and self-reflection which may contribute positively to mental well-being. Therefore they make sure that these practices are maintained in the right path. If a woman enters Sabarimala, there might be an inclination from the practice and it may cause disturbance in the patterns of the alignments. Since Sabarimala is much crowded women might also feel embarrassed or anxious to be a part of the mob.
9. The connection between Sabarimala and pregnancy – Restrictions also for Men
Sabarimala is considered a “Moksha Dhaam” which means freedom from the cycle of birth that a human soul attains after death. Men are believed to attain the state of “Moksha” after they visit Sabarimala temple. But the physical form of women in the menstrual age is all about the creation of life. Hence a place that is filled with the energies that reinforce dissolution will never support the energies that are required for creation.
Did you ever know the fact that even men face restrictions to visit Sabarimala?
Yes, a Man whose spouse is in the final stage of pregnancy is not allowed to visit Sabarimala. Generally, a woman’s fertility is determined by the combined efforts of both a man and a woman as they contribute to the reproductive process together. In this regard, if a man visits Sabarimala he may experience energies that are related to the upper chakra. So when he meets his wife after the yatra, this energy might be passed to his wife and have an indirect impact on her gynaecological health.
10. Is Sabarimala the only temple that imposed restrictions?
If you have the same question, then you need to understand that not only Sabarimala but also are few temples in India restrict even men. If you think that menstruating women is impure and that is why they abstain from visiting the temple then you have a wrong idea. There’s Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, Assam where menstruating cycles of Goddess Devi are worshiped. Matha Temple in Muzaffarpur, Bihar – where at a certain time of the year only women who are menstruating can enter the temple and not even the priests are allowed inside. There’s Devi Linga Bhairavi temple in Coimbatore where only females are allowed to do all the rituals and pujas and no men can ever perform it. Brahma temple is a famous temple in Pushkar where no married men are allowed. Bhaghavathy Amman temple in Kanyakumari and Kerala restricts men from entering the temple. Hence all these restrictions were imposed based on only energy.
In the Sabarimala issue, the restrictions were to protect women’s right to health. So we need to understand that when there’s a restriction it may not always mean to bring discrimination or inequality. Some restrictions may also signify well-being.
There are always two aspects ruling the world. The spiritual aspect and the scientific aspect but society made spirituality dominate science out of which people are unaware of certain truths. Hence one must understand the truth before concluding. Truth can be found through experiments and experiments are only concerned with “science” and not “myths”
To conclude it can be said as, the current world is obliged to the people of past who had experimented and mastered science and still have greatest hands in the well-being of the people in the 21st century.
