In a significant development and historic decision, a temple in India will now allow women to enter its premises, putting aside its 400 year old tradition. There have been protests in the past several months by women devotees on this issue after a woman tried but failed to enter and offer prayer at Shani Shingnapur temple in Maharashtra.

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The protest on the issue of the entry of women gained momentum after a local court observed that women should have equal right to place their worship. "There is no law, which prevents women for having equal access from entering a temple. If men are allowed then women should also be allowed," the court said.

However, temple authorities were adamant on their stand. The Shani Shingnapur temple has not allowed women for centuries to the inner sanctum, which is dedicated to Saturn, who is considered as the god Shani in India. This temple is one of few temples in the country that does not allow the entry of women into its preemies. The Temple Trust, on the auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa --the traditional New Year in many parts of India--allowed female devotees entry inside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine in Ahmednagar.

In January, 2016 a group of around 1500 women activists, tried to forcibly enter the Shani Shingnapur temple, but were stopped by cops.

The state government has told the local court that it will implement a law which will recommend jail time for any person for preventing anyone from offering prayers at a temple.

Tagstemple, India, Shani Shingnapur, Women entry to temple