Nagpur:
A “Vastra Samhita” or dress code was introduced Friday at four temples in the city of Nagpur, an association of temples in Maharashtra said.
The issue of dress codes in places of worship was in the news earlier this month as the state’s famous Tulja Bhavani temple attempted to regulate how visiting devotees dressed before retiring the fiat.
The Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangha (Federation of Temples in Maharashtra) has come out with a “Vastra Samhita” for temples across the state, its coordinator Sunil Ghanwat told reporters here.
It was implemented from Friday at Gopalkrishna Temple in Dhantoli, Sankatmochan Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple in Bellori (Saoaner), Brihaspati Temple in Kanolibara and Durgamata Temple in Hilltop area in the city, he said.
Devotees are not allowed to wear “offensive” clothing, he said, adding that the decision was made after a meeting of the Maharashtra Temple Trust Council in Jalgaon in February.
“The primary purpose is to protect the sanctity of temples. Such codes are in place in many temples,” Mr Ghanwat claimed.
He would also request Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to implement the code in government-controlled temples, he said.
A few days ago, Tulja Bhavani Temple in Osmanabad district tried to ban “indecent” clothing such as shorts and Bermuda shorts on its premises.
The order was withdrawn within hours of sparking outrage.
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