New Delhi: The Kerala government has told the Supreme Court that banning entry of women of menstrual age in the ancient Sabarimala temple in the state, is a “matter of religion” and it is duty bound to “protect the right to practice the religion of these devotees”.

In an affidavit, the state government said administration of the temple vests with the Travancore Devaswom Board under the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act and the decision of the priests is final in the matter of worship.