Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has extended support to the servitors’ demand for prescribing a dress code for the devotees visiting the 12th century shrine in Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri.
Backing the demand, Chief Administrator of SJTA on Friday appealed to the devotees to adhere to appropriate sartorial sense to respect the spiritual surrounding of the temple while visiting shrine. Devotees must not wear clothes to the temple as if they are visiting the sea beach, he said.
Many temples in the country have specific dress code. Necessary steps will be initiated after a decision regarding the matter has been taken, he added.
There are fractured views on the long standing demand of a dress code for the devotees to the temple. One section argues that the dress code will maintain the sanctity of the temple, while others argue that specific dress code is against the will and right to freedom of the people.
It may be noted here that the servitors of the temple had on Wednesday raised a demand to make adequate arrangements for changing rooms for devotees wearing western clothes. They insisted on devotees wearing appropriate clothes while visiting the temple.
A dress code for the servitors has already been implemented since October 20, 2021. As per the code, the servitors have been directed to wear only dhoti, towel and patta while performing their duties in the temple. But, it is alleged that the directions are not being adhered to even while performing religious rituals.
SJTA is yet to take any final decision on the matter of the dress code for the devotees, but the support of the Chief Administrator is likely to work as a catalyst towards implementing the decision.
