New Delhi: The Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan has urged visitors to adhere to a dress code by wearing “modest clothing” and avoiding “inappropriate attire” within the temple premises. The temple authorities have specifically discouraged wearing items like half-pants, mini skirts, nightwear, ripped jeans, leather belts or any attire deemed objectionable. They said that the temple is a sacred place for worship, not a tourist hotspot.
Dress code appeal issued ahead of New Year rush
This request comes ahead of the anticipated surge in visitors to the temple during the New Year. The appeal has been conveyed through media announcements and banners displayed prominently throughout the city, particularly along routes leading to the temple.
Temple manager Munish Sharma said that the initiative aims to “uphold the cultural sanctity” of the temple. “We have observed that many visitors, especially those from outside the region, come dressed casually in tourist outfits like jeans and t-shirts. Such attire does not align with the traditions and values respected within the temple,” he said.
Temple urges decorum
The Thakur Banke Bihari temple attracts thousands of devotees annually, including international visitors. Special occasions like Krishna Janmashtami and New Year witness especially large crowds, making it essential to maintain decorum within the temple grounds.
Jagannath temple implements dress code
Earlier this year, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration in Puri, Orissa issued guidelines advising devotees visiting the iconic temple in Puri, Odisha, to avoid wearing outfits like shorts, ripped jeans and skirts while entering the premises. The dress code, effective from today, will be monitored by police personnel and temple servitors to ensure compliance with what is deemed “decent” attire.
