(Image source from: Tamil Nadu temples urge visitors to enter in traditional wear})

On the first dawn of the New Year, visitors were greeted differently at the Kapaleeswaran temple in Chennai’s Mylapore. A notice appeared in front of the temple, insisting visitors to be appropriately dressed to enter the temple.

According to priest at Mylapore temple, “We have received the government circular and it is under implementation. Most devotees voluntarily follow it. The circular is for those who are ignorant of our culture.” He said that the awareness would help visitors. Several visitors were turned away as the dress code was enforced strictly at Sri Parthasarathy temple in Trplicane.

On Friday, the new dress code has been enforced in temples in Tamil Nadu. As per the order from the Madras High Court, the dress code bars devotees from wearing lungis, jeans, tight leggings as well as Bermudas in temple premises.

Usually people in Tamil Nadu visit temples early in the morning to start off the New Year and begin work following prayers. The government of Tamil Nadu declared Friday as a holiday. At few temples, leniency was observed, while the rule was strictly enforced in most temples.

A devotee named Saravanan said at Vadapalani Murugan temple that he came early in the morning to pray. “I did not want to take the risk of being sent out of the temple for not following the dress code, so I opted for a traditional dress,” he added.

-Sumana