Activist Trupti Desai has reached the International Airport in the early hours of Friday to visit the Sabarimala temple but she could not come out of the domestic terminal following protest by devotees opposing the entry of menstrual women into the Lord Ayyappa temple.

Tension prevailed at the airport as protesters announced that Desai and her colleagues, who reached here at around 4.40 am from Pune, would not be allowed to go out of the airport.The temple opens Friday evening, for the third time since the apex court verdict on September 28 allowed women of all age group to offer prayers at the hilltop Lord Ayyappa temple though none could do so following stiff resistance from devotees and activists, opposing any change in the temple traditions.

Trupti is currently having breakfast inside the airport as she is not able to come out due to intense protest.

Kochi: Trupti Desai, founder of Bhumata Brigade, having breakfast at Cochin International Airport as she hasn't been able to leave the airport yet due to protests being carried out against her visit to #Sabarimala Temple. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/ILDV7silTx — ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2018

Protesting local BJP leaders at the airport said the devotees would not let Desai and her colleagues, reportedly total six in numbers, to come out of the airport and proceed to Sabarimala temple. They alleged that Desai and her team came here to violate the centuries--old custom of the temple that prevents entry of women and girls in the age group of 10 and 50."She (Desai) came here not for darshan but for disturbing a peaceful Sabarimala pilgrim season beginning Saturday," they said.

Meanwhile one of the leading activist Rahul Easwar said that Trupti Desai and other feminazis wouldn't be allowed to reach the holy temple. He tweeted,

Trupti Desai faced peaceful protests in Kochi Airport 155 kms away from Holy Sanctum Sanctorum of #Sabarimala Ayyappa Taxis not willing to take Mahishi Feminists. FemiNazis are going to know the strength of #Hindus, Malayalis & Ayyappa Devotees#SaveSabarimala Swamiyeee — Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) November 16, 2018

He later tweeted,"Taxi drivers are Ayyappa Devotees ... Even those poor workers are ready to sacrifice Money .. refused to take Trupti Desai and other Mahishi FemiNazis."

The Ayyappa devotees comprising women and BJP workers, assembled in large numbers outside the airport, continued their protest chanting Ayyappa mantra.Police in large numbers have reached the airport to control the situation. Police officers held discussions with Desai and protesters but both sides stick to their stand.Talking to media over phone, Desai said she would not go back to Maharashtra without a darshan at the Lord Ayyappa temple.

Taxi drivers at the airport said they would not take Desai and her colleagues outside the airport.

Police in large numbers were present in the domestic terminal of the airport to deal with the situation.The Lord Ayyappa shrine will re-open for the two-month-long Madala-Makkarvilakku puja on Saturday.Desai, who spearheaded the campaign for women to be allowed into various religious places, including Shani Shingnapur temple, the Haji Ali Dargah, the Mahalakshmi Temple and the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, had sent an email to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking security as she fears an attack on her life during her visit to the hill shrine.

Protestors should not resort to violence. Once we reach there, we'll see what level of security state gives us. Even if the state doesn't give us any security, we'll still go, but I can be attacked. I have received so many threats of attack & killing: Trupti Desai. #Sabarimala pic.twitter.com/AAVKTqfuWg — ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2018

"We will not return to Maharashtra without darshan at the Sabarimala temple.We have faith in the government that it will provide security for us," she had said "It is the responsibility of the state government and the police to provide protection and take us to the temple as the Supreme Court has allowed women of all ages to offer prayers at the shrine," she added.

With agency inputs