Mumbai: Prominent women from cross-section of society in Maharashtra today hailed the lifting of curb on entry of women in the core area of Shani Shingnapur temple, terming it as a "symbol of victory" for campaign on gender equality and a significant move towards empowerment of women.

Giving in to a highly publicised campaign by activists, the Shani Shingnapur temple trust today allowed women to enter the sanctum sanctorum, breaking the tradition followed for several decades.