Housewife to Head Male-Only Shani Shingnapur Temple Trust

Anita Shetye, a housewife, created history of sorts on Monday when she was unanimously appointed the first ever woman chairperson of the world-famous Shani Shingnapur Temple Trust, an official said.

Women devotees are not allowed to worship at this temple, dedicated to Lord Shanidev – the personification of planet Saturn.

This is the first time in the temple’s over five centuries old history that this development has taken place today (Monday). Another woman, Vaishali Lande, has also been appointed to the board of 11 trustees managing the temple.

Prafull N Surpuriya, Trustee

Shetye, 40, will enjoy a five-year term in her post along with the other 11 trustees. As mandated, all the trustees are residents of Shingnapur and born within the Shingnapur gram panchayat, which has a population of around 1,500.

However, the temple will still continue to debar women devotees from worshipping at the temple. It is an ancient tradition that women are debarred from climbing up the temple steps to pour oil and offer prayers to Shanidev... There’s no reason for us to change traditions.

Prafull N Surpuriya, Trustee

Referring to a recent incident when a young woman unknowingly went up the temple steps and offered prayers before the deity, he pointed out that she admitted it was a genuine mistake and later apologised.

Shani Shingnapur is also globally renowned as the only village where the houses do not have doors and locks, and even a local branch of a nationalised bank does not have locks as there is no fear of thieves.