Shani temple bars men devotees too; devotees barge into inner sanctum

Shani Shingnapur.

On the occasion of Gudi Padwa, around 100 male devotees stormed into inner sanctum of Shani Shingnapur temple, despite trust’s order that nobody would be allowed to offer prayers there.

It was only over the weekend that the temple reversed a centuries-old rule and said neither men nor women would be allowed into the area that has an idol placed on an outdoor platform.

The new rule was introduced to dodge a court ruling that women and men must have equal access to places of worship.

To keep women out, the temple barred entry for male devotees as well.