Temples in India where men are not allowed

A few years ago numerous protests and cases took place when the Sabarimala row happened. From staunch feminists to equality supporters, the cry could be heard far and loud. And while equality should map every corner of life, some people believe that traditions should be kept pure and sacred as they have always been. As the country got divided into two groups, a matter of faith slowly made its way to the court of justice.
But, one thing to note here is that temples in India aren’t discriminatory. They just go by rules and traditions that have been passed on since time immemorial. While entry of women into many temples is prohibited, there are certain temples in India where the men are not allowed. Here we list some of them.

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is famous for the Attukal Pongala festival. During this event, lakhs of women come together to make a special offering to the main goddess, Bhagavathy who bestows upon her devotees blessings, abundance, and prosperity. During the festival, men are not allowed inside the temple grounds. This is done to respect the tradition that celebrates women's involvement in this sacred ritual.

The Chakkulathukavu Temple is in Kerala and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The temple has a special ceremony called ‘Naari Puja’ which means worshipping the women. At the yearly ‘Naari Puja’ festival, men cannot enter the temple area and it becomes a women-only affair. Women from all across India come here to ask for blessings for good fortune and health.
Concerning Naari Puja, a Hindu saying goes, ‘The home where the women are not worshipped and respected, is one where Devta (Gods) never set foot’.

(Image: Kerala Tourism)

One of the most famous Shakti peeths in India is the Kamakhya temple where it is said that the ‘Yoni’ of Mata Sati fell. Kamakhya temple is located atop Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam and this temple celebrates the menstruation cycle of the Goddess Kamakhya and her divine feminine power. Each year during the Ambubachi Mela, the temple remains closed for three days, and men are not allowed to enter during that period.

The Kanyakumari Temple in Tamil Nadu is for the goddess Kanyakumari, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Men, especially married men, aren't allowed into the inner part of the temple where the idol of the goddess is kept. Only women can worship the goddess directly there. It is said that Sanyasis can visit only till the door of the temple and married men can pray from a distance as per the temple's traditions and rules.

The Lord Brahma Temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan, prohibits married men from entry due to a legend. During Kartik Poornima, an annual festival honours Lord Brahma. This temple's rule stems from a tale where Brahma married Gayatri after goddess Saraswati's delay in a ritual. Angry, Maa Saraswati cursed the temple, forbidding married men from entering the inner sanctum, believed to bring trouble to their marital life.

(Image: Pinterest)

In the city of Jodhpur, there is a Santoshi Mata Temple that doesn't allow men inside. It's devoted to Goddess Santoshi, who is believed to bring contentment into devotees' lives. Fridays are known as Santoshi Mata’s days and are special when women visit seeking peace and happiness. Legends say the temple's power increases on Fridays, drawing women from distant places to pray for family harmony and joy. During this time, men aren't allowed in the inner sanctum.