Faced with strong opposition from locals, Bhumata Brigade chief Trupti Desai today returned without entering the sanctum sanctorum of Kapaleshwar (Shiva) temple here.
She was escorted out by the police for her safety, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shrikant Dhivre said.
Except the priests, both men and women are not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, situated on the banks of river Godavari.
Desai, who has shot to fame with her agitations against the ban on women's entry in core areas of some prominent temples in Maharashtra and also at Haji Ali Durgah in Mumbai, met some trustees of the Kapaleshwar temple, said Dhivre.
She left in view of the opposition by the people who had gathered there, the officer said.
The temple premises were full of devotees who opposed Desai's plan to enter the temple's core area.
Police had provided tight security, Dhivre added.
