A women's organisation was today ordered by authorities not to go ahead with its demonstration at the famous Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district on January 26 to demand that women be given equal rights for prayers at its sacred platform.

The Ranragini Bhumata Brigade on its part headed for a showdown with the authorities by deciding to book a helicopter from which its chief Trupti Desai was planning to alight by a rope and take darshan just to break an ancient 'custom' that bars women from climbing up to the holy chauthara (sacred platform).

Joint Charity Commissioner of Pune region Shivkumar Dige in his order preventing members of Ranragini Bhumata Brigade from going ahead with its protests said there was apprehension of damage to property if the outfit goes ahead with its demonstration at the chauthara.

The temple trustees should hold a meeting with brigade members and hear what the latter have to say, the order said.

Fearing restrictions on the protests, Desai said she was booking a helicopter and seeking permission for the flight from the district collector and planned to alight (in the temple premises) by a rope from the helicopter.