Even before the imposition of strict formal rules that forbid women's entry to the Lord Ayyappa temple, they rarely trekked to the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in the olden days. It was not just the 41-day 'vratham' or abstinence that discouraged them but also the arduous journey through the woods infested with beasts.

Earlier, much before the advent of modern transport, Ayyappa pilgrims had to trek via Vandiperiyar, Sathram or via Karimala to reach the hill temple. A proper road opened after the Kerala State Electricity Board built one up to Chalakkayam for the Sabarigiri hydroelectric project. Bus services then started up to Chalakkayam.

V V Giri, when he was the Kerala governor (1960-1965,) reached up to Pampa in a jeep from Chalakkayam. This is the route which later became the Chalakkayam-Pampa road.

Women started arriving, though in spare numbers, at the temple as vehicles became available up to Pampa. They often arrived for the choroonu, or first meal to a child, offering which started at the temple after the flag mast was erected and sanctified.

The Devaswom Board had issued orders in November 1972 forbidding the entry of females aged 10 to 50 as Lord Ayyappa is celibate. The High Court later tightened the rule after a couple of trespassing incidents by women.