Who said to you that it has got no religious sanction?
In temples, especially in temples in Kerala you can enter only after cleansing yourself, at least physically if not mentally. That is the tradition, unlike in churtch or mosque where you can straight away go from your bed! All people, who are born as Hindus (for that matter, everyone borne as a hindu only, although he may later change his religion)support this practice. Prior to going to temple, Hindus do not eat non vegetarian food - it is again another tradition. Going to Sabarimala during 'mandala kalam' is after observing 41 dya vrat which a woman cannot undertake as her menstrual period intervene in between. You must now understand why women are barried in Sabarimala.
