Is Jagannath temple becoming a fashion police?
If you plan to visit the sacred Jagannath temple in Puri town next year, you should check your wardrobe first. On Monday, a senior temple official announced that devotees will have to follow a dress code from January 1, 2024, or else they will be denied entry.
The decision was made after some visitors were spotted wearing outfits that were deemed inappropriate and disrespectful inside the temple. How did this happen? What are the rules? Read on!
Respect the Temple, Respect the God
The chief official, Das, said their duty was to preserve the temple’s dignity and sanctity. He lamented that some people did not care about the religious feelings of others and wore clothes that were disrespectful to the temple. He said some people wore ripped jeans, sleeveless tops, and shorts, as if on a beach or a park. He reminded them that the temple was the home of God, not a place for fun.
What to Wear and What Not to Wear
Das said that the exact details of the dress code would be announced soon. He said the temple administration would start spreading awareness about the dress code among the devotees from Tuesday.
The move came two years after the temple administration imposed a dress code for servitors on October 20, 2021. According to the dress code, all the servitors had to wear a dhoti, towel, and patta while performing puja. Das said implementing a dress code for all devotees was essential to uphold the temple’s spirituality and sanctity.
Following the Example of South India
Many temples in south India had already adopted a dress code for women devotees who visited the holy places in sarees and salwars. He hoped that the devotees of Jagannath temple would also follow suit and respect the tradition and culture of the temple.
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What’s your take on this? Are you for or against the temple officials’ decision? Well, I think it’s a fantastic decision, and we’re one step closer to preserving our traditions and culture.
Because if you don’t have a problem with the dress codes for entering a fancy club or restaurant, why should you have a problem with this?
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