In the modern times, women enjoy equal rights as men. Whether it is home, educational institutions, workplace or businesses, they have proved their worth in all spheres. Regardless of several NGOs, feminist groups and the government pitching for gender equality, there are certain tourists places in India that don’t allow women inside, even today.
Here is a look at 5 tourist destinations in India that forbid women.
- Haji Ali Dargah Shrine, Mumbai
This iconic landmark is dedicated to the Pir Haji Ali Bukhari, a sufi saint belonging to the fifteenth century. Tourism statistics state that at least 15 to 20 thousand people visit this shrine every year. Within the shrine premises, there is a sacred area called “Sanctum Sanctorum” where the entry of females is prohibited.
Shrine authorities claim that entry of women in religious shrines and graves is “un-Islamic” according to the Sharia laws. Therefore, the shrine attracted the attention of countless women authorities in India that wrecked havoc on this matter.
- Ayyappan Temple, Sabrimala
Though the south Indian society is liberal and open- minded, yet the age-old Ayyappan Temple at Sabrimala, Kerala prohibits the entry of females from 12 to 60 years. It is because they believe that all menstruating women should be barred from visiting pilgrimage sites.
- Kartikeya Temple, Pehowa
In Haryana, the Pehowa temple strictly forbids the entry of women because it honours the ‘brahmachari’ that is celibate form of Kartikeya: the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. People believe that if a true devotee of Kartikeya worships at the shrine, he will never lose any battle in his life.
However, there is a myth surrounding this region that states that the lord will curse any women who will enter the temple. So, the women are banished from entering the temple premises.
- Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
The Padmanabhaswamy temple located in Kerala is a picturesque example of Dravidian and Kerala architectural style. It was built in 16th century. At present, it is the wealthiest temple in India, which holds immeasurable treasures and wealth amounting to approximately $22 billion.
The temple has at least 5 to 8 underground vaults that have not been explored until today. While the women are allowed to pray, they’re not allowed to visit particular sections of the temple. The temple also lays out strict rules for female dress code.
- Jama Masjid, Delhi
The Muslim scholars debate that in the ‘Sahih Muslim Book 4 Hadith 150’, “Salim narrated it from his father (who was the Abdullah b. Umar, the messenger of Allah), when women ask permission to pray in mosques, don’t prevent them”.
Despite this, one of the largest mosques in India that is Jama Masjid prevents the entry of women inside the mosque during Maghrib prayers (after sunset). They haven’t specified any reasons for it.
These places have a ‘no entry’ board for women. While some shrines like Patbausi Satra (Assam) have taken initiatives to reform such biased practices, but a lot needs to be done to change the mindset of different cultures in India.
