Four hundred years of gender bias at the Shani Shingnapur Temple came to an end yesterday after women were, for the first time, allowed into the sanctum sanctorum to worship Lord Shani up close. With comes an end to the controversy that has been raging around the temple for months, since women began to challenge traditions that allowed men access to the deity but not women.

A huge precedent was set by the activists who finally enjoyed the fruits of their hard-fought victory yesterday. The road was not easy, and anybody who thought it would be so, was naïve. Challenging a centuries-old tradition was certainly going to be very tough and the campaign saw activists clashing with locals, facing violence, detention and, of course, political colour. Even after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that there should be no discrimination and women should be allowed to pray, the activists were barred, until, at last, relentless efforts saw the doors opening to women.