Two women "devotees" named Bindu and Kanaka Durga have successfully entered and offered prayers at Kerala's famous Sabarimala Temple at 3.45am on Wednesday. They are the first women to do so in several decades.

Pinarayi Vijayan, the Kerala Chief Minister, has confirmed the news that the two showed interest in being there and that they were provided security by a few policemen. If Bindu is a college lecturer who has been associated with a communist outfit, the other woman is a government employee.

"One small step for women, one giant leap for equality. Today Bindu and Kanaka Durga have become the first women of 'menstruating' age to have entered the #Sabarimala temple. This is a truly historic moment for our country, our legal system, our rights, our faith and our gender," commented author Meghna Pant.

Following this, the temple priests have shut the temple down for purification rituals.