Kerala's apex temple body has sought an explanation from Sabarimala head priest Kandararu Rajeevaru over the revelation by the BJP state chief that he had consulted him before threatening the closure of the hill shrine if women in the menstrual age group entered it.

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the Lord Ayyappa temple, however, made it clear on Thursday that the procedure was just a formality as the 'tantri' (head priest) had already rejected the saffron party's claim.