Acceding to the long-pending demand of women activists to allow entry to the Shani temple in Shignapur the temple trust finally granted the permission on Friday.
An announcement to this effect was made by the trust after a meeting on this issue. This will be first time in 60 years that women can even enter 'garbhgrah (Sanctum Sanctorum)' of the temple as well as where even the entry of men was restricted.
"Shani Shignapur Trust has decided that temple's sanctum will be open for all, including women," said Nanasaheb Banker, temple trustee. The Bombay High Court on Friday directed Maharastra Government to ensure compliance of law to prevent discrimination against woman on entry to places of Worship.
"There is no law, which prevents women for having equal access from entering a temple. If men are allowed then women should also be allowed," the court had said.
Earlier today, around 100 male devotees broke barricades to enter the innermost area of temple to perform abhishek on the occasion of Gudi Padwa.