'Decent attire' rule for devotees at Puri Srimandir from January 1

The decent attire rule will come into force at the Puri Srimandir from January 1, 2024, for devotees visiting the 12th-century shrine.  

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Monday took a decision in this regard. 

As per the decision, the devotees visiting the temple will be sensitized about the new rule through awareness drives. The Jagannath Temple Police and Pratihari servitors will check adherence to the rule. 

‘We would like to request the devotees that they should come to the temple wearing proper clothes. Children below 12 years old with half pants will be allowed into the shrine. But elders wearing half pants, ripped jeans, and sleeveless dresses won’t be allowed. It is a spiritual place and not a park or a beach,” said Ranjan Das, Chief Administrator of SJTA. 

Srimandir managing committee member, Madhav Mohapatra said, “The SJTA requests the devotees to come to the temple wearing proper dress congruous to the temple atmosphere. The rule will be followed strictly from January 1. Anyone found coming to the temple wearing inappropriate attire would be debarred from entering the shrine.”

It is worth mentioning that the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has already made dress code compulsory for servitors from October 20, 2021. As per the dress code, all the servitors have been directed to wear Dhoti, towel, and Patta while performing puja.