Shani temple to allow women devotees

Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), April 8 (IANS) In a historic decision, the famed Shani Shingnapur Temple Trust said women will be permitted to enter and pray at the open-to-sky platform shrine here from Friday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the trust and announced by trustee Shalini Lande.

For over four centuries, women have been barred from stepping onto the high platform on which stands a black stone - symbolising Shanidev or Lord Saturn here.

The decision was welcomed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Bhumata Ranragini Brigade president Trupti Desai, who had been campaigning for months seeking women's entry.