Now, Lucknow temple to impose dress code

Lucknow-based Mankameshwar Temple, situated on the banks of the Gomti river and visited by a large number of devotees, has decided to implement a “dress code”, for both men and women devotees.

“It has been observed that the devotees often come to the temple wearing indecent dresses...we can not allow that,” said a senior temple management official while speaking to Deccan Herald here on Wednesday.

“We have seen girls entering the temple wearing jeans and T-shirts...men too often visit the temple wearing only dhoti...or shirtless...such types of dresses should not be worn inside a temple,” SK Gopal, the temple spokesman said.

Gopal said that “indecent” dresses caused discomfort to both men and women. “It is not good for everyone,” he added.

He said that a meeting of management officials will be held on Thursday to discuss the new dress code. “The new dress code would be implemented in the next few days'', he added.
Gopal said that temple authorities would start with persuading devotees to wear “decent dresses”. “If persuasion works...nothing like it,” he remarked.

Mankameshwar Temple shot into limelight after a woman seer had been chosen as its “mahant” (chief). The current mahant Daivya Giri was considered be “outspoken” and has been on the forefront of raising issues concerning the women seers. 

Similarly, the management of Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi retracted its decision to force women, especially those from foreign countries, to wear “sari” before entering its  premises, after widespread criticism.