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Puri, Odisha: In an effort to uphold cultural traditions, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration in Puri, Odisha, has implemented a dress code for devotees visiting the iconic temple, effective immediately. The new regulations advise against wearing clothing such as shorts, ripped jeans, and skirts within the temple premises, emphasizing the importance of traditional attire.
Devotees are urged to adhere to traditional dress norms when entering the temple, including options like trouser pants, churidar, salwar kameez, and dhoti. The chief administrator of the temple, Ranjan Kumar Das, stated that similar dress codes are already in place at various shrines across the country. Both the Jagannath temple police and the temple servitors will be vigilant in ensuring compliance and monitoring anyone wearing clothes deemed “indecent.”
This move follows the introduction of a dress code for temple servitors in October 2021. Temple staff are now required to wear dhoti, towel, and patta while performing puja. The decision to extend the dress code to devotees was prompted by appeals from the Daitapati Nijog, a prominent body of servitors at the temple. They expressed concerns about devotees wearing shorts, which they felt were disrespectful and hurt religious sentiments.
As the temple continues to uphold its cultural and religious significance, the new dress code seeks to maintain an atmosphere of reverence and respect within the sacred premises.
