Activist Trupti Desai was detained while attempting to enter the Shani Shingnapur temple in Maharashtra on Saturday.
Earlier, Trupti along with members of her Bhumata Brigade were stopped from entering the temple despite a Bombay High Court ruling that it is the fundamental right of women to go into places of worship.
The activist was stopped by police and a group reportedly backed by the trustees of the temple.
Describing the HC verdict as a victory for women's campaign against gender bias, Desai had on Friday announced that she and her followers belonging to the city-based women outfit would head to the ancient temple.
Around 25 activists had proceeded for the temple on Friday morning in 2-3 small vehicles.
"After the High Court itself ruled in womens' favour, we are determined to reach the sacred chauthara of the temple and we are sure that police will not restrict us en route," Desai had said before leaving Pune.
On being told that if a temple does not allow any person, irrespective of gender, inside the sanctum sanctorum, then this Act (Maharashtra Hindu Place of Worship (Entry Authorisation) Act 1956) and its provisions will not be of any help, Desai said, "In case of Shani Shinganapur, the temple trust used to allow men at 'chauthara' and only after our agitation started, they had put restrictions on males. So we should not be restricted."
The shrine is dedicated to Lord Shani, who personifies the planet Saturn in Hindu belief. Women devotees are not permitted on the platform as per tradition followed at the shrine, which has no walls or a roof. A five-foot-high black stone stands on a sacred platform (prohibited area) and is worshipped as Lord Shani.
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