The new dress code for devotees entering temples managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR & CE) came into effect on Friday, with some adhering to the norms, while many were unaware about it.
On the first day, temple employees in Chennai were not strict in implementing the new dress code. As it is the first day and since the verdict on the dress code had not reached the public, it would be unfair to be strict on this sensitive issue, said the temple staff.
Though many were attired in traditional clothes like dhoti, shirts, pavadai-dhaavani (half saree), chudidhar duppatta, saree and full pants at Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane and Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore, a section of devotees were found in jeans, T-shirts and casuals that are expected to be avoided.
“I was not aware about the court direction,” Diwakar, a devotee spotted in T-shirt and jeans at Kapaleeswarar temple said when queried about the new regulation.
Some youngsters in modern apparel at Parthasarathy temple too claimed they were ignorant about the dress code.
A few others said that they knew about it, but were unclear on the type of clothes that should be avoided, like jeans. Interestingly, three Hyderabad-based youngsters, studying Chartered Accountancy in Chennai, wore pants to worship the Kapaleeswarar deity at Mylapore conforming to the order. According to the orders of the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench, dated December 11, those visiting temples should come in traditional dresses only and there is a restriction on wearing jeans, shorts and bermudas and other types of modern apparel.
While sources at Parthasarathy temple said jeans come under the bracket of clothes to be avoided by visitors, a notice at Kapaleeswarar temple confines it (jeans) only to women devotees. However, when contacted, officials at Kapaleeswarar temple clarified that both men and women can wear jeans.
Some temple authorities said the circular received from the HR&CE department did not specify any date from which the new dress code regulation takes effect as technically it had come into force from the date of the court verdict.
While each temple, it seems, has fixed its own dates for the new dress code, some temple employees will also advise the devotees on the regulation for a few days.
A meeting scheduled on the dress code issue with top HR&CE officials on how to go about its implementation has been postponed. But it is expected to be held soon.
Suggestions like involving temple volunteers to advice devotees on dress code, making announcements through speakers, decision on providing dhotis and duppattas for rent would be taken after consulting top officials in the government, according to sources.
(With inputs from T Muruganandham)