‘Dress code’ for devotees imposed at 4 temples in Maharashtra

A dress code was introduced at four temples in the city of Nagpur on Friday. (Figurative)

Nagpur:

A “Vastra Samhita” or dress code was introduced at four temples in the city of Nagpur on Friday, an association of temples in Maharashtra said.

The issue of dress code in places of worship made headlines earlier this month when the famous Tulja Bhavani temple in the state tried to regulate how visiting devotees dress before removing the fiat.

The Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangha (the federation of temples in Maharashtra) has introduced a “Vastra Samhita” for temples across the state, its coordinator Sunil Ghanwat told reporters.

It has been implemented at the Gopalkrishna temple in Dhantoli, the Sankatmochan Panchmukhi Hanuman temple in Bellori (Saoaner), the Brihaspati temple in Kanolibara and the Durgamata temple in the Hilltop area of ​​the city since Friday, it said.

Devotees should not wear “objectionable” clothing, he said, adding that the decision was made after a meeting of the Maharashtra Temple Trust Council at Jalgaon in February.

“The main goal is to protect the sanctity of the temples. Such codes exist in many temples,” Mr. Ghanwat said.

It would also request Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to implement the code in government-controlled temples, it said.

A few days ago, the Tulja Bhavani temple in the Osmanabad district tried to ban “indecent” clothing such as shorts and Bermuda shorts from its premises.

The order was withdrawn just hours after it caused outrage.

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