Sabarimala devotees followed by stray dog for 480 km as they walk from Tirumala to Pamba

While thousands throng Sabarimala during the mandalam season, Lord Ayyapa has attracted a unique devotee this year. A group of 13 Ayyappa devotees who have reached Chikkamagaluru district's Kottigehara in Karnataka on Sunday has had a constant companion in a stray female dog, according to ANI. The devotees who started walking from Andhra Pradesh's Tirumala on October 31 have been allegedly followed by the dog throughout their 480 km journey till now.

Dog follows devotees to Sabarimala

WATCH | Sabarimala authorities deny entry to 10 women devotees; police send them back from Pamba

Devotees speak

Talking to ANI, the devotees said that while they did not notice their four-pawed companion at first, they now feed her regularly, "We didn’t notice the dog at first. But as we continued, it kept showing up behind us every now & then. We offer it the food we prepare for ourselves. We perform the Sabarimala pilgrimage every year but it is a new experience."

READ | V Muraleedharan: 'Urban naxals, anarchists, atheists visiting Sabarimala as devotees'

10 women devotees sent back

Meanwhile, the hill shrine's doors were thrown open to devotees on Saturday, marking the start of the mandalam season. While the temple saw thousands of devotees throng the shrine, Kerala police had sent back 10 women devotees who hailed from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh- aged above 40, from the base camp at Pamba. Temple authorities had reportedly denied entry to the women devotees as they were not carrying the 'irumudi' - the traditional offering devotees carry to offer to Lord Ayyappa. This development came after Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran stated that the government will not give permission or protection to women activists who come to Sabarimala.

WATCH | Sabarimala: 'Women returned on their own after learning about temple rituals' says PB Nooh

SC transfers Sabarimala issue to 7-judge bench

The apex court, on Thursday, had decided by a 3:2 verdict to review its 2018 Sabarimala order, referring it to a 7-judge SC bench. While delivering its verdict, the apex court clubbed the entry of women in mosques and the tower of silence, the legality of female genital mutilation in the Dawoodi Bohra community along with the Sabarimala issue. But there will not be a stay on the earlier judgment which allowed the entry of women between the age group of 10 to 50 years into Sabarimala temple.

READ | Meeting reviews facilities for Sabarimala devotees