13-05-2025
No ripped jeans, shorts, sleeveless clothes in Kolhapur's Mahalaxmi and Jyotiba temples
Kolhapur: The renowned Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) and Jyotiba temples have implemented restrictions on visitors wearing revealing attire. The Paschim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti has said that devotees wearing ripped jeans, see-through clothing, shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless garments will not be allowed in the regulation follows similar dress code implementations across various Maharashtra temples, including the Shri Tulja Bhavani temple in Tuljapur, where the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh introduced measures to preserve temple secretary Shivraj Naikawade explained this decision stemmed from devotees' requests, noting that visitors in casual attire appeared inappropriate within temple grounds.
The primary aim is to ensure visitors maintain cultural appropriateness while at these sacred clarified that while the dress code was initially established in 2021, its enforcement had become lenient, leading to complaints about inappropriate attire. He said, "We have asked the shop operators to make 'Sovala' available to visitors, who arrive without being aware of the dress code. We are going to make the Sovala available to the visitors. Those who deny wearing Sovala or decent clothes will not be allowed to take darshan."Sovala comprises traditional attire: Dhoti and uparna (a shawl-like garment) for men, and non-transparent saree for women. This dress code, mandatory for priests entering the sanctum and devotees participating in abhishek puja, represents sacred temple activist and devotee Dilip Desai said, "There is nothing new in the decision. It was in place earlier, and devotees usually follow the dress code. Those who wear revealing clothes are not permitted. I think the announcement is made again to divert attention from issues, mainly the inability of the administration to provide facilities, starting from drinking water to sanitation to parking for the visitors. If issues like the dress code are raked up regularly, then people forget the other inconveniences they face on the temple premises."
