The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition that asked that women devotees who wished to pray at the Sabarimala temple be allowed observe the “vrath” period for just 21 days instead of the 41 days  that men are expected to observe.

The petitioner Narayanan Potti sought that the HC issue a directive to the chief priest to allow the reduction of the vow period for women. But the HC rejected his plea and asked him to approach the supreme Court on the matter. The HC also dismisse a demand that sought a ban on the emntry of women of menstruating age from entering the temple until the apex court took a final decision of the cluthch of review petitions that challenged its Sep 28 order that overturned a centuries old tradition and allowed young women entry into the temple. The court said it was not vested with powers to take a decision on a plea against a SC verdict.

— India Legal Bureau