A Delhi-based woman journalist of a foreign media outlet, who trekked the Sabarimala Hill, was Thursday stopped midway by Lord Ayyappa devotees opposing entry of women of menstrual age into the hill shrine. The journalist accompanied by her male colleague, a foreigner, descended the hills from Marakkoottam area in the face of mounting protest by Ayyappa devotees.

Reporters of Malayalam news channels who followed the journalist to the hill shrine said the devotees shouted slogans 'ladies go back'. Some even allegedly hurled abuses at her opposing her entry into the ancient shrine, the reports said. Police had thrown a security ring around the woman and her colleague. Local TV crew said she is in her late 40s.However, there is no confirmation regarding her age. The woman told protesters that she was a journalist and she was on her way to the shrine for carrying out her professional duty.