Women’s group threatens to land on Shani Temple by chopper
A women’s group has threatened to storm the famous Shani Shingnapur Temple here -- if need be, from the sky route via helicopter -- on Tuesday, said an activist here.
Security has been strengthened at the temple where women are barred from paying obeisance. However, the activists remain undeterred in their avowed objective -- to offer prayers at the Shani temple.
"We have already booked a helicopter and if we are not permitted to enter from the open ground, we shall drop ladders from the chopper and descend. We are not scared of any security since women’s rights are concerned," Trupti Desai, president of Bhumata Ranragini Brigade (BRB) told IANS on Monday.
She said around 1,500 women from all over Maharashtra shall troop down to the temple on Tuesday morning and perform prayers at the temple, dedicated to Lord Shani -- the personification of planet Saturn.
Desai said women must be permitted access inside the temple as the country’s Constitution treats men and women equally.
"After tomorrow’s (Tuesday) attempt succeeds, we shall launch similar agitations in other places of worship all over India where women are denied entry on various grounds," Desai said.
Meanwhile, police and the temple authorities have put up three levels of barricades, deployed a considerable force of women constables and village volunteers to guard the temple from Tuesday’s likely onslaught by BRB activists.
The unique open temple has no walls or roof. A self-emerged (svayambhu) five-foot-high black stone stands on a platform and is worshipped as Lord Shanidev.
The temple platform stands in the centre of the small village, also known as Sonai, and attracts millions of tourists and devotees from across the country and abroad.
However, barring the temple priests, none is permitted to climb the nine steps up to the actual stone idol that represents the deity. Everybody must only offer prayers from below the platform, said a temple trustee Prafull N. Surpuriya.
Shani Shingnapur is globally known as the only village where houses do not have doors and locks, and the village remains theft-free.
Even the nationalised UCO Bank’s branch in the village does not have locks on its doors. Belief has it that thieves cannot steal or burgle in the village which is protected by Lord Shani, and misfortune and divine punishment would befall anyone who attempts to steal.
Although the temple itself has a much older history, the present form of management of its activities is over five centuries old, Surpuriya said.
Please note that under 66A of the IT Act, sending offensive or menacing messages through electronic communication service and sending false messages to cheat, mislead or deceive people or to cause annoyance to them is punishable. It is obligatory on kemmannu.com to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request. Hence, sending offensive comments using kemmannu.com will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Kemmannu.com be held responsible.
Similarly, Kemmannu.com reserves the right to edit / block / delete the messages without notice any content received from readers.
Final Journey of Mrs. Severine Pais (85 years) | LIVE from Milagres, Kallianpur, Udupi

Final Journey of Mrs Lennie Saldanha (89 years) | LIVE from Kemmannu | Udupi

Final Journey of Zita Lewis (77 years) | LIVE from Kallianpur, Udupi

Final Journey of Henry Andrade (83 years) | LIVE from Kemmannu

Final Journey of Mr. Leo Britto (65 years) | LIVE from Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi

Mount Rosary Church - Rozaricho Gaanch May 2025 Issue

Final Journey of Juliana Machado (93 years) | LIVE from Udyavara | Udupi

Final Journey of Charles Pereira (78 years) | LIVE from Kemmannu

Milarchi Laram, Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Diocese of Udupi, Bulletin - April 2025

Holy Saturday | St. Theresa Church, Kemmannu

Final Journey of Albert Lewis (85years) | LIVE From St Theresa’s Church Kemmannu | Udupi

Final Journey of Bernard G D’Souza | LIVE from Moodubelle

Earth Angels Kemmannu Unite: Supporting Asha Fernandes on Women’s Day

Final Journey of Joseph Peter Fernandes (64 years) | LIVE From Milagres, Kallianpur, Udupi

Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Udupi - Parish Bulletin - January 2025 Issue

Rozaricho Gaanch 2024 December Issue - Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte

Land/Houses for Sale in Kaup, Manipal, Kallianpur, Santhekatte, Uppor, Nejar, Kemmannu, Malpe, Ambalpady.

Naturya - Taste of Namma Udupi - Order NOW

Focus Studio, Near Hotel Kidiyoor, Udupi


Earth Angels - Kemmannu Since 2023

Click here for Kemmannu Knn Facebook Link
Sponsored Albums
Exclusive
Mangalorean Teen Feryl Rodrigues Shines as May Queen 1st Runner-Up at Indian Club Bahrain [Video]

A Saintly Shepherd of Our Times: A Tribute to Pope Francis

Servant of God – Fr Alfred Roche, Barkur -Closing ceremony of Birth Centenary Celebrations.

"Raav Sadanch" – A Konkani Musical Masterpiece by Young Prodigy Renish Tyson Pinto, Barkur Inspires Youth to Chase Their Passions.

Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Offers the Solemn Thanksgiving Jubilee Mass, in Milagres Cathedral

GOLDEN YEARS, HAPPIER TOGETHER….by P. Archibald Furtado

Parish Level inaugural Badminton Little Flower Cup 2024 held in Kemmannu.

Udupi: Foundation stone laid for the SVP sponsored new house at Kemmannu

KAMBALA – A FORGOTTEN SPORT OF YESTER YEARS…..
