The Shri Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust (STDT) passed a resolution on Sunday withdrawing its April 3 resolution, which had barred all persons except the traditional and hereditary priests from entering the sanctum.
The high court, in a recent ruling had directed that women could not be barred from entering temples and having darshan. Similarly the chief minister had also stated that Sanatan Hindu tradition does not discriminate on caste and gender basis.
Through a press release on Sunday evening, STDT announced that the earlier traditions, prior to its April 3 resolution, would continue. The release also stated that considering the suggestions given by Archaeology Survey of India, the timings would be between 6 to 7 am. Before the HC ruling, Bhumata Brigade led by Trupti Desai had taken a militant stance of taking darshan from the sanctum, which was the prerogative of only men. She tried to enter Shani Shingnapur in Ahmednagar and Trimbakeshwar in Nashik but was stopped by the police, even after the HC order. On Friday, the Shri Shani Shingnapur Devasthan Trust (SSSDT) broke its 400-year-old tradition of not allowing women on the sacred chauthara (platform). After this incident pressure is steadily mounting on temples and dargahs (Muslim saints’ tombs) to allow women.
The STDT was holding marathon meetings from Saturday. On Saturday, the trustees sought the views of the local villagers. The locals, including women, are adamant that women should not be allowed in the sacred sanctum.
The Trimbakeshwar sanctum is a small windowless room deep inside the temple. Currently only the traditional and hereditary priests that include the Tungar family and three other priests and their assistants can go inside.
