MUMBAI, INDIA, April 22, 2016 (Daily Pioneer): After two failed attempts, women activists owing allegiance to Pune-based Swarajya Sanghatana finally entered the sanctum sanctorum of Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik district of north Maharashtra, amidst tight security. A day after several activists were manhandled by villagers when they tried to gain entry inside Garbha Griha of Swarajya Sanghatana president Vanita Gutte and six other women activists formally entered the core worship area at 6.05 am. Of them, three women activists performed puja to the presiding deity.
Keeping in view Wednesday’s untoward incident which saw local women and villagers manhandle and physically prevent women activists from entering the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, the temple management and police had made elaborate security arrangements to ensure smooth entry of the Swarajya Sanghatana activists inside the core worship area.
The Trimbakeshwar temple has now become the third famous temple where women have been allowed to enter sanctum sanctorum to offer prayers. Earlier, women activists had entered core worship areas of Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district and Mahalakshmi temple at Kolhapur in western Maharashtra.