In a rare turn of events, from now on men devotees will also not be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik district of Maharashtra.
The decision was taken after a meeting of temple trustees at Nashik on Sunday.
A trustee informed that owing to the geographical positioning of the temple, steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum are not be in the best of condition and therefore from now on both men and women devotees will not be allowed inside.
Recently, Trupti Desai of Bhumata Brigade had carried out protests at Trimbakeshwar Temple demanding entry of women into the sanctum sanctorum.
The decision of the trustees is likely to draw a lot of attention as the state the facing protests from several quarters on gender discrimination at places of worship.
Two days ago, the Bombay high court had ruled that women be treated equally at places of worship and it was the responsibility of the state government to protect the fundamental rights of women.