Pune: The women activists, led by Bhumata brigade activist Trupti Desai, are today marching towards Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik where the entry of women is prohibited.
Desai has demanded that women should be allowed to enter the inner sanctum of Trimbakeshwar temple on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
She had earlier led a march of women activists and attempted to enter the Shani Shingnapur temple.
“If women are allowed in the ‘garbgrih’ (inner sanctum) of Kashi Vishweshwar temple, why they are not allowed in Trimbakeshwar temple? Why only women are discriminated? We are not against rituals, but we are against wrong practices,” Desai told ANI.
“The police has not given us any notice. A team has come from Nashik, but to ensure our safety. We hope that Chief Minister Devandra Fadnavis, who supported us last time, will also support us this time around.We also hope that we would not be detained this time,” she added.
Meanwhile, the temple trust has maintained that the ban on entry of women is based on tradition, claiming that no objection has ever been raised on the same.
The ancient Trimbakeshwar temple, located 30 km from Nashik, is a major shrine of Lord Shiva having 12 ‘jyotirlingas’, drawing devotees from far and wide. (ANI)