Women, Hindu groups set for another face off
On Shivratri and the eve of International Women's Day, 150 women will attempt to reach the sanctum sanctorium of Trayambkeshwar temple
After pursuing an aggressive movement to seek equal rights for women at Shani Shingnapur temple, a much hyped matter that is now pending at Bombay High Court, the fight for "equal rights to pray" has now reached the Shri Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik. The biggest Shiva temple in the state, considered to be one of the 12 jyotirlingas, is expected to witness a big face off on March 7, when supporters of tradition and gender equality will try to outdo each other.
Over 150 members of the brigade are set to make an attempt to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Shiva temple. An announcement in this regard was made by Bhumata Brigade head Trupti Desai. The temple trust and Hindu groups have opposed the move and are gearing up to stop the women's attempt and save the tradition at any cost. The Brigade wrote a letter to the temple trust a fortnight ago, giving them a deadline of March 7 to take a call on the matter. The trust reportedly replied to the Brigade on Thursday itself, refusing their request.
The temple reportedly disallows women in the garbha gruh. Desai argued, "The Kashi Vishwanath temple, a major jyotirlinga, allows women into the sanctum sanctorum. So do the other jyotirlingas. Then there is no reason why Trimbakeshwar temples bans women," said Trupti.
Meanwhile, right wing group Hindu Janjagruti Samiti has come out openly to support the temple trust and villagers who have been opposing the women's move since beginning. The temple trust could not be contacted and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis didn't respond.