IN PICTURES: Sabarimala Temple opens after a day marked by violent clashes

Violent protests and attacks on women, journalists were carried out by those opposing the Supreme Court’s verdict. In picture journalist Mausami Singh sitting in a police vehicle after she and her crew were attacked by the protesters at Nilakkal base camp. Image: ANI

Indian Hindu devotees and activist react after being stopped by police personnel during the protest./(Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP)

The Lord Ayyappa temple has opened for the first time since the apex court allowed entry of women of all age today at 5pm. It was opened for the five-day-monthly Pooja of the Malayalam month of Thulam. Image: ANI

The protesters checking and blocking entry of women clashed with police at Nilakal, the base camp, which is about 20 km from the hill temple./ Image: PTI

A protester being chased by the police / Image: PTI

The protesters also resorted to stone pelting as tension continued to grip area. /Image: PTI

The Lord Ayyappa devotees, who are opposing the decision of Kerala government to implement the Supreme Court's order of lifting a ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the temple, were lathi-charged by the police. Image: PTI

Though women aged above 50 years were seen entering the temple, those between 10-50 years could not arrive due to security concerns.

The protesters also included women. Some women were also reportedly injured during the melee. /Image: PTI