'Decent attire' for devotees at Puri Srimandir: Certain questions still call for answers

The much-talked-about decent attire rule for devotees and pilgrims coming for darshan of the deities at the Shree Jagannath temple in Puri is set to be effective from January 1, 2024. As a few weeks are left for the enforcement, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is reportedly leaving no stone unturned to sensitise devotees, the public, and staff of hotels and restaurants about the new attire rule. 

While a debate regarding the basis of enforcing such a rule refuses to subside, questions have cropped up over certain aspects of the move, though a majority of circles have supported the idea of appropriate clothing on temple premises as is seen in temples in south India. 

“The Lord seems to be happy when He sees devotees in dhoti and traditional clothes," observed an elated child devotee at the temple today. 

Tradition v/s restriction

However, questions are being raised about how this rule will be applicable to sadhus, saints, and temple servitors, who following their sartorial traditions are scantily dressed. Their clothes do not cover the whole body.
Many on social media have sought to know if these sections of people will be prevented from entering the temple or allowed with their traditional clothes. Will they be exempted from the rule? 

Another problem being pointed out is how women devotees will be sensitized to obey the order when Jagannath Temple Police (JTP), particularly male police, is entrusted with enforcement of the rule. How the male police officials would make women devotees aware of the dress code without the help of their female counterparts.  
It was also alleged that the SJTA has taken this decision without the consent of the temple management committee.              

No dress code, but...

Ananta Tiadi, a member of the temple managing committee, said, "There is no such thing as dress code. The priority is to ensure that devotees wear decent attire instead of shorts, skirts, and torn jeans.” 

On the other hand, Ranjan Das, chief administrator of the SJTA, observed,” We are taking all possible measures to make people and devotees aware of the need to wear decent attire while visiting the temple.”  
He also said that women police are deployed at the entry point of the temple to help women devotees. 

Volunteers for awareness

Ramnarayan Gochhikar, secretary of Pratihari Nijog, said that they will urge the devotees with folded hands to come to the temple wearing decent clothing.

Drutidhar Das, an activist of a religious organisation, said that religious outfits will volunteer to create public awareness among devotees.