Devotees of Lord Ayyappa staged a protest condemning the entry of two women, in the age group of 10 to 50, into Sabarimala Temple (Kerala), at General Thimmaiah Circle in the town on Thursday.

The devotees formed a human chain and vented their ire against the women, who entered the shrine. District BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishat supported the protest.

Speaking on the occasion, Kote Mariyamma Temple Committee member Umesh Subramani said that by entering the temple and by breaking the age-old tradition, the women had hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.

"The communist government in Kerala too, has supported the non-religious practice."

He, meanwhile, warned of staging a nationwide protest if a similar incident repeats in future.

Hindu worker Kukkera Ajit said that the breaking of the temple tradition was an unruly gesture and the devotees were angered by the move.

Arun Shetty, Unnikrishna, Mahesh Jaini, Jagadish and others took part in the protest.