Trimbakeshwar temple refuses to lift ban on women's entry, says march politically motivated to defame Modi, Fadnavis

Mumbai: After the agitation at Shani Shingnapur Temple, women activists have now demanded women's entry into sanctum sanctorum of Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik.

Bhumata Brigade, who made headlines early this year over entry into Shani Shingnapur Temple, will be leading the march to Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik, where women are prohibited traditionally. At least 150-200 women activists are expected to participate in the march.

"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. Today, on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, we will march to Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik and enter into the inner sanctum," Desai told ANI.

Desai and her brigade, who were stopped and detained by police in February this year when they attempted similar drive demanding women's entry to Shani Shingnapur temple, are all set for another face-off with the district and the temple authorities.

"We have planned a march on Maha Shivratri for our right to enter Trimbakeshwar Temple. Also, tomorrow is International Women's Day. If police arrest us, it will be an insult to entire women fraternity. We have not been given any notice from the police against the march. Ideally, police should come with us for our security," Desai was quoted as saying by CNN IBN.

Desai, who met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in January over entry of women in Shani Shingnapur and Trimbakeshwar Temples, said, "We are confident that we will not be detained like last time. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis helped us last time. I am sure he will help us this time too. We are fighting for our constitutional right."

Meanwhile, the temple trust has maintained that the ban on entry of women is based on age-old tradition, claiming that no objection has ever been raised on the same.

"There is no question of reviewing the ban on women's entry into the inner sanctum of Trimbakeshwar temple as ancient traditions can't be reviewed for them," one of the temple trustee told CNN IBN.

He also accused Desai of trying to defame the government in Centre and Maharashtra Chief Minister in the name of such issues.

''The march demanding women's entry into inner sanctum of Trimbakeshwar temple is politically motivated. Trupti Desai is being backed by Congress party and wants to defame Modi government as well as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis," he claimed.

Trimbakeshwar temple is located 28 kms from Nashik and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.