Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 13 (IBNS) The Kerala High Court on Friday quashed charges against Kannada actress Jayamala in Kerala's Sabarimala temple norms violation case. 

The court said the charges against her are invalid in the case dating back to 2006. Astrologer P Unnikrishna, another person accused in the case, was also cleared by the court.

In 1987, Jayamala had reportedly touched Lord Ayyappan's idol at Sabarimala, thereby allegedly violating religious norms related to the famous Hindu temple.

Women between the ages of 10 and 50 are not allowed to enter the temple, since the story attributed to Ayyappan prohibits the entry of the women in the menstrual age group. This is because Ayyappan is a Bramachari (Celibate).

The Kerala Crime Branch had initiated inquiry into the controversy in 2010 after the disclosure was made in 2006.

Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala.

It is the largest annual pilgrimage in India with millions visiting there every year.

Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demoness, Mahishi.