Kerala Government Probe of Actress' Visit To Indian Temple May Be Started

In the state of Kerala, in India, the Sabarimala Temple has become the center of world-wide attention lately. India eNews.com today reports on recent developments at the shrine which traditionally excludes women between 10 and 50 years of age. Only girls who have not attained puberty and women who have entered menopause are allowed to enter the temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. However recently the Indian actress, Jaimala claimed that she had entered the temple in violation of this tradition and had inadvertently touched the temple deity some 18 years ago. On Tuesday the Kerala High Court accepted a petition seeking to order a government probe of Jaimala's actions. (Press Trust of India.) Meanwhile, the Travancore Devaswom Board, the custodian of the temple, said that it will begin a series of corrective rituals that will cost around half a million rupees and take almost two years to complete.