Women and Sabarimala

Every winter, millions of young men in south India brace themselves for forty long days of a religious vow called the "Ayyappa mala". Apart from being known for how strict and exhausting it is, the vow has also gained controversy in recent times for excluding women out of this ritual and for barring women's entry to Sabarimala, the holy site of Ayyappa Swamy. What is the ritual about? Why is it conducted? Why are women not allowed to participate? Tune in to get answers.