In a bid to maintain decorum and ensure a comfortable environment for all visitors, Mumbai’s iconic Siddhivinayak Temple has announced a new dress code for devotees. Starting next week, the temple will enforce a ban on short skirts, torn clothing, and attire that exposes the body. This move follows numerous complaints from visitors who expressed discomfort due to certain inappropriate outfits worn by some temple-goers.
New dress code to ensure respectful atmosphere
The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust (SSGTT) revealed that the dress code mandates visitors to wear “decent clothing,” with an emphasis on Indian attire. The directive specifically prohibits devotees from wearing torn trousers, short skirts, or clothing that reveals body parts. The temple trust stated that these measures were introduced after multiple complaints from other devotees, who felt uncomfortable with the attire of some individuals within the temple premises in Prabhadevi.
Pawan Tripathi, the treasurer of the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust, explained that the decision was taken to ensure a respectful atmosphere for all worshippers. “We received requests from devotees asking for restrictions on certain types of clothing. This step is to maintain the sanctity of the temple and ensure that everyone feels at ease,” Tripathi said in a statement to the media.
Is this a growing trend amidst temples?
The dress code at Siddhivinayak Temple aligns with a growing trend across religious sites in India. Many temples have recently implemented similar restrictions in response to concerns about inappropriate attire in places of worship. The trend has sparked a broader debate about the expectations for attire in sacred spaces, as visitors are often unsure of the boundaries between personal expression and respect for tradition.
Several other temples, including the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, have also introduced dress guidelines to preserve the sanctity of their religious practices. The Banke Bihari Temple specifically urged devotees to avoid wearing mini skirts, torn jeans, nightwear, and leather items.
Netizens react to Siddhivinayak Temple dress code
Netizens on X (formerly Twitter) have voiced a range of opinions in response to the new dress code announced by Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple. Some are in full support, applauding the decision to prohibit attire such as distressed jeans, short skirts, and shorts, with one user calling it “quite fair” and suggesting that similar dress codes should be implemented across all places of worship in India. Others echoed the sentiment, emphasising that temples are sacred spaces, not fashion shows. One tweet humorously noted, “Bhagwan sabke hain, par dress code pandit ji ka hai!” (God is for everyone, but the dress code is up to the priest). While many supported the move as a much-needed step to uphold the sanctity of religious sites, some voiced criticism, labelling it unnecessary. A few even suggested extending the restrictions to ban social media influencers from the temple vicinity and tackling VVIP culture, calling for a broader cultural shift to preserve the sacredness of such spaces.
Eco-friendly initiatives alongside dress code
In addition to the dress code, the Siddhivinayak Temple has also introduced an eco-friendly initiative. The temple has phased out the use of plastic bags for distributing prasad (holy offerings), opting instead for paper packets. The move is part of the temple’s effort to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability. This change is currently being implemented on a trial basis.