Shani temple row: No need to stick to obsolete traditions

AHMEDABAD: Joining the 'gender bias' issue involving Shani Shingnapur temple, religious preacher Sadhvi Ritambhara today said the "obsolete" traditions can be done away with even as she advised the women protesters to be flexible.

"Evey religious place is having it's own traditions and there is always a scope to rethink on these traditions," Ritambhara said reacting to a query on the ongoing agitation by women to seek entry onto the sacred platform of Shani temple in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

She also asked the protesters to not be adamant.

"Similarly, it is also necessary that we don't become adamant. This issue is not a very big," Ritambhara said.

She was here to take part in a religious conclave.

During her interaction with media, she advocated abolition of age-old customs and traditions, such as ban on the entry of women inside temple, if they are not compatible with time.

"I believe that there is no need to continue those traditions which are obsolete and not compatible with today's world. We (spiritual leaders) believe in preserving our ancient values and moving in the forward direction," she added.

On January 26, at least 400 women volunteers led by Desai had made an unsuccessful attempt to storm the 'chabutara' of the temple when police stopped the marchers at Supa village, 70 km from the shrine.

Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar is mediating to find solution on the issue, which has divided the traditionalists and the proponents of the women's cause.