In an effort to preserve religious sentiments and uphold the sanctity of sacred sites, authorities in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun districts of Uttarakhand, India, have implemented a stringent dress code.
The ban prohibits the entry of devotees who are not appropriately dressed. The Mahanirvani Panchayati Akhara, a prominent religious organization, has taken the lead in enforcing this dress code, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the dignity of these revered locations.
Under the newly implemented rules, Mahant Ravindra Puri, secretary of the Mahanirvani Panchayati Akhara and president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, stated that only women with their bodies covered up to 80 percent will be allowed entry into the Daksh Prajapati Mandir in Haridwar, Tapkeshwar Mahadev Mandir in Dehradun, and Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir in Rishikesh. The ban takes immediate effect in these temples affiliated with the Mahanirvani Panchayati Akhara, with plans to extend it to akhara-affiliated temples nationwide.
Expressing the rationale behind the ban, Mahant Ravindra Puri shared, “Sometimes people entering the temples are so skimpily dressed that one feels ashamed to even look at them.” He emphasized that the Daksheshwar Mahadev Mandir in Haridwar, often visited by people from around the world, should be respected as the revered abode of Lord Shiva’s in-laws. The temple committee has received numerous complaints about the attire of devotees, which prompted the decision to enforce the dress code.
Straying from the prescribed dress code has been viewed as disrespectful and offensive to the religious sentiments of devout individuals. The ban serves as a response to these repeated complaints, and strict action will be taken against those who violate the dress code, warned Mahant Ravindra Puri.
Support for the ban has emerged among seers in Haridwar, with Katha Vyas Madhusudan Shastri, a professional narrator of mythological stories, stating, “The sanctity of the temples must be maintained, and people inside their precincts should conduct themselves accordingly. The ban is in accordance with Sanatan Dharma,” emphasizing the importance of adhering to traditional practices and customs.
