Western clothing ban for Indian temples
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Thousands of Hindu temples in southern India have started banning anyone wearing “western” clothes, The Guardian reports.
A court order was issued last month decreeing that jeans, shorts, skirts, t-shirts, short-sleeved shirts or tight leggings would not be permitted in any temple in the state of Tamil Nadu. The move is intended to “enhance spiritual ambiance”.
The ruling, which came into force on 1 January, will impact an estimated 6,000 temples, ranging from small shrines to major religious sites. It will apply to all visitors, including local worshippers and tourists.
“We should dress for public worship in a way that is generally considered appropriate,” the court said in the order.
According to the new dress code, men are allowed to wear dhoti, a traditional leg covering, pyjamas with a cloth top or formal shirts and trousers. Women are allowed to wear saris or half saris with a blouse.
The Guardian cited an official at the Arulmigu Ramanatha Swami temple, which receives more than four million visitors a year, as saying that it has already turned some people away for not adhering to the dress code.
Comments are closed.