Can non-Hindus and menstruating women enter temples? | Onmanorama Explains

The entry of two Christian priests into the Sree Parthasarathy temple in 2023 was questioned in court. It was said the entry violated Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act 1965, and its Rules. The High Court, however, did not see any violation.

On the other hand, it termed as a violation Section 3(a) of the Rules, which forbid non-Hindus from entering temples. The Act was all-inclusive but the Rules, the HC said, were exclusionary. Section 3(b) of the Rules, which prohibited menstruating women from entering temple, was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2018 for being discriminatory.

Producer: Ayyappan R
Editor: Arun George Mathew