In Kerala, as the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala opens for a special puja today, a thick security cover has been put in place in the temple town. The shrine will open for devotees at 5 pm today and will close at 10 pm tomorrow. Over 3,000 police personnel, including a 20-member commando team and 100 women, have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the puja and security of the devotees.

Orders banning assembly of four or more people have already been imposed in Sabarimala and nearby areas. The prohibitory orders will continue till tomorrow.This will be the second time the hill temple would open for darshan after the Supreme Court allowed entry of women of all age groups into the shrine. Violent protests were witnessed last month against the apex court’s decision.