Male devotees storm into inner sanctum of Shani Shingnapur temple

Mumbai: On the first day of Gudi Padwa, male devotees on Friday stormed into inner sanctum of Shani Shingnapur temple, despite trust's order that nobody would be allowed to offer prayers there.

The men were earlier allowed to offer prayers inside the inner sanctum. However, after the controversy over women's entry unfolded, the temple trust banned entry of all.

Meanwhile, reports said that activist Trupti Desai is all set to march towards the historic temple today.

Desai has been spearheading the protest demanding entry into the temple.

In a landmark verdict, the Bombay High Court on April 01 declared that no law prevents women from entering places of worship. The court, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Vidya Bal and Nilima Varta, said there should be no gender discrimination as far as entering a place of worship is concerned.

The temple drew attention in November 2015 after a woman offered prayers in `breach` of the age-old practice of prohibiting entry of women. Following the incident, the temple committee had suspend seven security men and the villagers to perform purification rituals.