Gujarat : Temples Enforce Dress Codes for Devotees

Rajkot : Notices have been prominently displayed at over 100 Sanatani temples in Rajkot, Gujarat outlining specific dress codes for devotees visiting these sacred sites.

Men are now barred from entering temples wearing half pants or capri pants, while women are prohibited from wearing skirts or sleeveless blouses. Additionally, both men and women are urged not to wear torn jeans if they wish to engage in prayers within these temple premises. These dress code notices have been put up by the Sanatan Swaraj organization across all temple premises.

Kana Kumbavat, an office bearer of the organization, said, “Our aim is to encompass all Sanatan temples in the city. The decision on the dress code was made in consultation with various Sanatani and Hindu organizations.”

“While we respect individual choices in attire, we urge visitors to temples to refrain from wearing short clothes. This is about showing respect to these sacred spaces. Short clothes have never been accepted in our culture at religious places.” He said.

Ramesh Trivedi, spearheading the Hindu religion awareness movement, expressed support for the decision, stating that it was deliberated upon for over a month involving multiple organizations. He highlighted that a majority of regular temple devotees had voiced objections to short clothing. As individuals might not be able to enforce such decisions independently, various organizations have unified to make this decision, and it should be respected by all.

A priest, Bhanubhai Joshi, noted, “Temples like Somnath and Dwarka have already implemented similar regulations. The difference now is that these decisions will be uniformly applied across all temples following Sanatan rituals.”