NASHIK, INDIA, April 3, 2016 (Deccan Chronicle): The Trimbakeshwar Temple authorities here Sunday imposed a restriction on men’s entry too into the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord Shiva shrine with an aim to provide “equal treatment” to both the genders, a trustee said. The decision, which takes effect from tomorrow, comes in the wake of the Bombay High Court verdict giving women equal right to men with regard to entry into temples.
The development comes a day after Bhumata Ranragini Brigade Trupti Desai and 25 other women activists were taken into preventive custody to stop them from entering into the inner sanctum of the famous Shani temple in Ahmednagar’s Shignapur village. They were later released. The ancient temple, located 18 miles from Nashik, is a major Lord Shiva shrine of the country, which has one of the 12 jyotirlingas, drawing devotees from far and wide.
At the Shani shrine in Ahmednagar too, the temple management has shunned the practice of special pooja for men from the last two months after agitation demanding women’s entry into the garbgriha gained momentum. Now both men and women are offering prayers from an equal distance from the murthi. As of now, only priests are allowed on the sacred sanctum.