Uttarakhand Temples Bar Entry Of Devotees Not Wearing Appropriate Clothes

Devotees in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun, must wear appropriate clothing to enter temples due to a recent ban.

Mahanirvani Panchayati Akhara's secretary, Mahant Ravindra Puri, announced on Sunday a ban on entry of "scantily-clad men and women" at Daksh Prajapati Mandir, Tapkeshwar Mahadev Mandir, and Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir.

Puri, who is also the president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, stated that temples can only be entered by women who cover 80 per cent of their bodies.

The instant ban imposed at the temples affiliated to Mahanirvani Panchayati Akhara, which also include Dashnam Naga seers.

According to Puri, the ban will soon be extended to akhara-affiliated temples nationwide.

Puri defended the ban by saying that some visitors to temples are poorly dressed, causing discomfort to others.

“Every Monday, the temple receives a stream of devotees. Today’s youths come to the temple wearing clothes that reflect their total disregard for its sanctity,” Puri said, reports The Indian Express.

He further said that these clothing “hurts the religious sentiments of the devout” who often come to the temple committee to lodge complaints.

He cited repeated complaints behind the ban and cautioned strict action against violators of the ban.

Seers in Haridwar have also supported the imposition of the ban.

Katha Vyas Madhusudan Shastri stated that people must behave appropriately inside temples' precincts to uphold their sanctity, and the ban is in line with Sanatan Dharma.