Solapur (Maharashtra): The illustrious 900-years old Vitthoba Temple located in the pilgrim town of Pandharpur is going to narrate a religious history by breaking down a centuries old traditional custom. With the support of Supreme Court order it appoints its first women priests as also priests from the backward classes as part of an inclusive mission.

This is the first initiative by any temple trust in the country to break the centuries-old monopoly of the Brahmins over the temple sacraments and other rituals. Anna Dange, chairman of the Vitthal Rukmini Temple Trust (VRTT) explained to IANS that they wanted the prayers and rituals to be opened to all castes, especially non-Brahmins.

The VRTT has given advertisement inviting applications for eight posts of priests from all practicing Hindu-women well-versed in the two-or-three special rituals for Lord Vitthoba and his consort Rukmini, besides other temple rites and customs.

The current move of VRTT was prompted by the Supreme Court judgment came in January. Thus the four-decade- old judicial4667 proceedings were dismissing the claims of exclusive ancestral rights over the earnings and rituals at the temple by the Badve and Utpat families here.

Video on Vithoba temple, Solapur