Women cannot be banned from entering a temple, a court in Mumbai said while hearing a challenge to the ban on women at the Shani Shingnapur temple.


The Bombay High Court said: "As per Hindu Law women cannot be stopped from entering the temple."Giving the Maharashtra government two days to explain the ban, the court questioned, "if women enter temples, is it affecting the purity?"


Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier said it was not part of Hindu culture to restrict women from entering temples.


Women have not been allowed for centuries into the inner chambers of the famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.


Temple priests claim it is not discrimination but done to protect women as the vibrations from some idols are harmful for women.


Pic: Trupti Desai (in pink), who heads the Bhumata Ranragani Brigade, leads a rally demanding the entry of women into the core area of the Shani Shingnapur temple complex in Ahmednagar. Photograph: PTI


Also read: 'A tradition which prevents women at temples needs to change'