Wrap-up: Women enter Shani temple

In a historic decision that breaks a 400-year-old tradition, the Shri Shani Shingnapur Devasthan Trust (SSSDT) on Friday decided to open the chauthara (platform) of the temple to everyone, including women. The decision was taken after 200 kawariyas, devotees who bring Gangajal on foot, trampled barricades, climbed the chauthara and conducted abhishek (prayers).

The kawariyas entered the sanctum sanctorum and offered prayers to Lord Shani on the occasion of Gudi Padwa even as temple officials tried to prevent them. The trust had made arrangements to collect the Gangajal in a vessel on the ground and then pump it over the statue.

However, the kawariyas rejected the proposal and forcibly entered the sanctum sanctorum.

As the trust members objected, resulting in tension, the police rushed to the spot. Subsequently, a decision was taken to allow entry to all at a joint meeting of the trustees, villagers, the kawariyas and some government and police officers, CEO Gorakhshnath Darandale told this newspaper. Temple trust spokesman Haridas Gaywale said, “At the meeting, the trust decided there won’t be any discrimination and today all parts of Shani temple have been opened to all.”

Later towards the evening, Pushpak Kewadkar, who broke away from Trupti Desai’s Bhumata Brigade, became the first woman to climb the chauthara.