The Sabrimala deity Ayyappa has other temples at Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu, Achankovil where he exists as a child, as a married person with a wife and as an ascetic. There is no restrictions on entry of women in these temples. In Sabrimala, Ayyapa is present in the form of Naishtika Brahmachari (celibacy). According to the rule of Naishtika Brahmacharya, its practitioners besides celibacy are also required to maintain absolute restraint over all their sensesincluding non-contact with women, especially of reproductive age.
One of the beauty of Hinduism is that at it allows everybody to follow whatever route or faith they believe it. The truth is one but the routes are limitless. It has millions of gods because a devotee could choose his own way for "moksha.' Hinduism thus accords a similar space and respect to Islam and Christianity.
To hold Hinduism as practicing gender inequality is a rotten propaganda. All rituals must be done with your wife beside you. Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, Maheshwari are all manifestations of how Hindus treat its women. All its gods are shown together with their wivesSita-Ram, Shankar-Parvati etc. Why, it's even Mother India (Bharat Maa) when Hindus mention their motherland. "Vandematram" is another one proof.
It's been nearly 48 hours. Neither Faye D' Souza has issued an apology or deleted her tweet. Times of India too hasn't shown a remorse on the offensive cartoon. This impudence flourishes because majority Hindus of this country are liberal to a fault.
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