Kerala's famed Sabarimala shrine renamed as Sabarimala Sree Ayyappaswamy Temple

Thiruvantapuram: Kerala's famed Sabarimala shrine has been renamed as Sabarimala Sree Ayyappaswamy Temple, ANI reported on Monday.

The Sabarimala Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is one of the famous and prominent temples in Kerala.

The temple is situated on a hilltop (about 3000 feet above sea level) in Pathanamthitta district.

Citing the temple board, the Indian Express reported that the decision to change the name was taken at its meeting on October 5.

“There are many Dharmasastha temples under the Devaswom Board, but Sabarimala is the one and only holy seat in the world where Sree Ayyappaswamy presides.

“That is the reason why crores of devotees visit Sabarimala every year to have darshan of Lord Ayyappaswamy,” the report said quoting board officials.

The Kerala government had recently allowed the entry of women in the shrine.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government told the Supreme Court that it favoured the entry of women of all age groups in the historic temple.