Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Thursday said tradition and sentiments of devotees should be respected on the issue of entry of women of all age groups in Sabarimala and gender equality need not be applied on matters relating to the Lord Ayyappa temple.


Kerala has witnessed widespread protests by Ayyappa devotees after the state government said it was bound to implement the Supreme Court's verdict that lifted the centuries-old ban on the entry of women in the 10-50 age group to the temple, whose deity Lord Ayyappa is considered to be celibate.


Any change on matters relating to religion and faith should be done after consultations with spiritual leaders, Sri Sri said. There are several temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in the country and women are not barred anywhere else except in the hill shrine in Kerala.


"Then, it is a tradition...and people's sentiments are also there...we have to respect it..." Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told PTI.


"It is not a matter of gender inequality here in this temple issue. In fact Indian culture always holds women in great reverence...True equality is when women are assured of safety, have equal opportunities in career and every girl child has access to quality education," he said.


"However, this temple issue creates such an emotional hurt and shock to people... the devotees..., which could have been avoided.." he said.


The spiritual guru, however, said he was "glad" that the Supreme Court had agreed to hear the review petitions against its September 28 verdict.


The comments by Sri Sri come two days ahead of the two-month-long Mandala Makaravillakku pilgrimage season in Sabarimala that commences on November 17 and attracts millions of devotees from all over the country.  -- PTI