BALANARAYANA MARAR, J.:­- This is a "public interest litigation". It has far-reaching consequences regarding the faith of "Sabarimala" temple, a temple of great antiquity, visited by more than 20 lakhs of persons every year from all parts of India. The question posed is, whether it is open to all women, irrespective of their age, to trek the hill and worship of the temple, and how far is it permissible as per existing 'acharas', beliefs and custom ?

2. A petition was sent by one S. Mahan­daran, K. P. S. Bhavan, Perunnai, Changana­cherry, to one of us (Paripoornan, J.) which was converted into an original petition and treated as public interest litigation. He com­plained of young woman trekking Sabari hills (Sabarimala) and offering prayers at the Sabarimala Shrina. That is contrary to the customs and usages followed in the temple, according to him. Special treatment is alleged to have been given to wives of V.I.Ps. He pointed out a specific instance of the first rice-feeding ceremony of the grand-daughter of the former Devaswom Commissioner Smt. Chandrika conducted at Sabarimala temple in the presence of her daughter, the mother of the child, and other relatives including w