Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (MS)

Karwar, Oct 19: The administration committee of the famous Mahabaleshwar temple in Gokarna here has put in place a dress code that bans wearing of jeans pant, trousers and Bermuda shorts in its premises.

Giving details of the rule, H Halappa, executive officer of the temple said, "The dress code is strictly implemented since a month in the temple, though they were already drafted a long ago. Shirt, pant, hat, cap and coat are also not allowed to be worn inside the temple premises. Men can wear only dhoti. They are not allowed to wear shirts, tees and vests while entering the temple. Women can wear only salwar khameez and saree. Any other dress is not permitted to be worn."

Mahabaleshwar temple

G K Hegde, former administrator of Ramachandrapura Math near the Gokarna temple does not agree with the implementation of the strict dress code. He said, "Rules of this nature will cause inconvenience to the tourist, who come in large numbers to Gokarna. The dress code was in place from long ago only for men. They are not supposed to enter the temple with their shirts on and without having bath. However, there was no restrictions of any nature to women."

"The administration committee of the temple should have held a discussion with the devotees and priests of the temple, who are well-versed with the customs and rituals since ages in the temple," Hegde added.

This temple was built in the fourth century AD by Mayur Sharma of Kadamba dynasty. It is one of the seven 'Muktikshetras or muktistala' (places of salvation) in the state of Karnataka. It is located near the Karwar beach, which has made this temple a favourite attraction for the tourists.

The ancient Virupaksha temple in Hampi also has similar restriction when it comes to dress code as per the Karnataka Hindu religious Institutions and Charitable department. The rituals in Virupaksha temple are being performed without any break since the seventh century AD.