Odisha: Puri Jagannath temple to enforce dress code for devotees from Jan 1

Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to introduce a dress code for devotees visiting the 12^th century shrine in Odisha’s Puri town from January 1 next year.

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Niti (Rituals) Sub-Committee of SJTA today.

The temple authorities will launch a drive to create awareness regarding the dress code for devotees on October 10, sources said.

“The SJTA will introduce the dress code for devotees from January 1. Devotees flouting the dress code will not be allowed to enter the shrine. Pratihari servitors and Jagannath Temple Police Service personnel will be assigned the task to ensure the dress code for devotees,” said a source in the temple administration.

The temple administration, meanwhile, said the devotees are advised to maintain decency in their clothes while visiting Srimandir.

“Devotees should wear traditional clothes while visiting Jagannath temple. They should not wear clothes like shorts, ripped jeans and skirts. Dress code has been introduced at several shrines across the country,” said SJTA Chief Administrator Ranjan Kumar Das.

The Khuntia servitors of Jagannath temple had earlier urged the state government to make traditional clothes mandatory for devotees visiting the temple.

There were instances when some devotees entered the temple by wearing ‘indecent’ clothes. Devotees should wear traditional clothes like Dhoti, Kurta Pyjama, Salwar Kameej and Sari to preserve the religious and spiritual ambience of the shrine, said senior Daitapati servitor Binayak Das Mahapatra.

“We all should maintain decency in our clothes for visiting Jagannath temple. We welcome the decision taken by the SJTA in this regard,” he added.