ABSTRACT

The paper explores the connection between pilgrimages, religious tourism and gender issues through the analysis of the Sabarimala Temple case in India and the related ban on the entry of women of menstruating age. Restrictions on access to places of worship reveal an underlying issue concerning the compatibility between religious traditions and the principles of equality enshrined in modern constitutions – a balance that is addressed differently across various legal systems. By examining the landmark ruling of the Indian Supreme Court and comparing it with other social contexts where access to sacred sites is restricted based on gender, this study highlights the legal and social implications of such discrimination. It sheds light on the conflict between fundamental rights, religious freedom, and denominational autonomy, as well as the negative impact these distinctions can have on the social potential of religious tourism.