8 Surprising Places in India Where Women Are Not Allowed
India is known for its rich culture and diverse traditions. Do you know? there are some places where, surprisingly, women are not allowed. From temples to certain social spaces, these restrictions are deeply rooted in customs and beliefs. In this article, we explore eight such locations in India where women are still prohibited from entering and why.
8 Places in India Where Females Are Not Allowed: Know the Tradition and Restrictions
1. Sabarimala Temple, Kerala
The Sabarimala Temple in Kerala is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, who is known for his vow of celibacy (being single). According to legend, the demon Mahishi was defeated by Ayyappa, the son of Lord Shiva and Mohini. After her defeat, Mahishi transformed into a beautiful woman and proposed marriage to Ayyappa. However, Ayyappa declined, explaining that he was destined to remain unmarried and serve his devotees.
This vow of celibacy is very important to the temple’s traditions. In the past, women of menstruating age (10 to 50 years) were not allowed to enter the temple because it was believed that their presence would distract the deity from his vow. This practice was supported by the Kerala High Court in 1991.
However, in 2018, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the ban violated constitutional rights to equality and freedom of religion. This ruling allowed women of all ages to enter the temple. Despite this, the issue continues to be highly debated, with ongoing protests from devotees who wish to uphold the traditional practices.
2. Lord Kartikey Temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan.
The Lord Kartikeya Temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan, is dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This temple worships the brahmachari (celibate) form of Lord Kartikeya. According to local legend, women are not allowed to enter the temple because it is believed that God punishes the women who enter, rather than blessing them. This belief is rooted in the temple’s tradition of honouring Lord Kartikeya’s vow of celibacy and his role as a warrior deity.
The restriction is based on the idea that the presence of women might distract the deity from his celibate state. This practice has been followed for centuries and remains a significant aspect of the temple’s customs and rituals
3. Patbausi Satra, Assam
The Patbausi Satra in Assam is a Vaishnavite monastery where women are traditionally not allowed to enter. This restriction is primarily based on the belief that menstruating women are impure and could threaten the sanctity and purity of the temple. The authorities who manage the Satra uphold this practice to maintain the spiritual cleanliness of the site.
In 2010, the then Governor of Assam, JB Patnaik, challenged this tradition by taking a group of 20 women into the Satra after discussions with the authorities. Although this led to a temporary lifting of the ban, the restriction was eventually re-imposed. The practice is still controversial today, reflecting larger discussions in society about gender, morality, and religious traditions.
4. Jain Temple, Ranakpur, Rajasthan
The Ranakpur Jain Temple in Rajasthan is a renowned pilgrimage site dedicated to Tirthankara Adinatha. Women are traditionally not allowed to enter the temple during their menstrual periods. This restriction is based on the belief that menstruation is impure and could affect the sanctity of the temple. The temple authorities enforce this rule to maintain the spiritual cleanliness of the site.
Additionally, the temple has a strict dress code, requiring women to cover their legs below the knees and avoid wearing Western clothes and accessories. These practices reflect the temple’s adherence to traditional Jain customs and the broader cultural norms regarding purity and modesty.
5. Padmanabjaswamy Temple, Kerala
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala is renowned for its architectural grandeur and religious significance. Traditionally, women are not allowed to enter the temple vaults, which are believed to contain big treasures. This restriction is rooted in the temple’s customs and the belief that the sanctity of these sacred spaces must be preserved.
The temple authorities enforce this rule to maintain the spiritual purity of the site. Additionally, the temple has a strict dress code for women, requiring them to wear traditional attire such as sarees or salwar kameez with a dhoti over it. These practices reflect the temple’s adherence to traditional Hindu customs and the broader cultural norms regarding purity and modesty.
6. Nizamuddin Dargah, Delhi
The Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi, dedicated to the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, traditionally restricts women from entering the inner sanctum where the saint’s grave is located. This practice is based on long-standing customs and the belief that the sanctity of the inner sanctum must be preserved.
While women are allowed in other parts of the dargah, they are not permitted inside the small inner room that houses the saint’s grave3. This restriction has been challenged in recent years, with petitions arguing that it constitutes gender discrimination and violates constitutional rights. Despite these legal challenges, the practice continues, reflecting the ongoing tension between tradition and modern values.
7. Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai
The Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai, a revered Sufi shrine, traditionally restricted women from entering the inner sanctum where the tomb of the saint, Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, is located. This ban, imposed in 2012, was justified by the trustees using Sharia law, stating that close female proximity to the tomb was considered "a grievous sin"12. The trustees argued that the restriction was necessary to maintain the sanctity of the shrine and to adhere to Islamic principles.
In 2016, the Bombay High Court ruled that this ban violated women’s constitutional rights to equality and freedom of religion, ordering the Dargah to allow women into the inner sanctum1. Despite the court’s decision, the issue remains contentious, reflecting broader societal debates about gender, religion, and tradition
8. Shani Shingnapur Temple, Maharashtra
The Shani Shingnapur Temple in Maharashtra is dedicated to Lord Shani, the deity associated with the planet Saturn. Traditionally, women were not allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the temple. This restriction was based on the belief that the deity’s powerful energy could be harmful to women, particularly pregnant women. The temple authorities claimed that Lord Shani emits strong vibrations that could adversely affect women.
In 2016, after significant activism led by Trupti Desai and the Bhumata Brigade, the Bombay High Court ruled that women should be allowed to enter the inner sanctum, citing gender equality and constitutional rights. Despite the court ruling, some local women continue to adhere to the traditional practice, reflecting the ongoing tension between modern legal standards and age-old customs