New Delhi (CNN) Two women in the southern Indian state of Kerala made history Wednesday, defying religious conservatives to enter the Sabarimala Temple, one of Hinduism's holiest sites. The two women made the long, uphill trek to the famous golden-roofed temple accompanied by plainclothes police officers, arriving at the site at approximately 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, Kerala police told CNN. The temple was later closed for one hour to allow priests time to purify the site following the visit by the women. The Sabarimala shrine, which is thought to be more than 800 years old, is considered the spiritual home of Lord Ayyappa, a Hindu god of growth. Proponents of the ban on women of menstrual age argue that since Ayappa is considered celibate, allowing "impure" women into the temple would be disrespectful.

Source: CNN January 02, 2019 03:00 UTC