Nashik: Signalling a major social change, women today were permitted entry to the Trimbakeshwar temple here, one of the 12 'Jyotirlingas' (a devotional object representing Lord Shiva) in the country.
A group of three women activists of the Swarajya Sanghatana led by Vanita Gutte, was allowed to enter the temple amidst tight security.
Bhumata Ranragini Brigade President Trupti Desai, who started the campaign for women's entry to all places of worship in January, welcomed the development and announced she will visit the temple on Friday.
This significant development came 13 days after women were permitted entry to the Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district on April 8.
The issue sprung to prominence after a woman stepped onto to the unlocked platform last year to offer prayers. This was followed by a ‘purification’ process by villagers, angering women activists and several sections of the society.
The issue has stayed in news since then and has even prompted questions on similar practices at other temples as well. On January 26, around 400 women activists, who tried to head for Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district defying prohibitory orders to worship the deity, were detained about 70km from the temple and later released.
