The Mankameshwar Temple in Prayagraj will continue enforcing its dress code during the upcoming Shravan month beginning on July 30, with devotees wearing revealing clothes barred from entering the shrine. The temple administration has also retained restrictions on photography, plastic use and other activities inside the premises.

The dress code, introduced last year on the lines of Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Temple, also makes traditional Indian attire compulsory for devotees performing Rudrabhishek during Shravan. Temple authorities said the measures are intended to preserve the sanctity of the place of worship.

Dress Code to Remain in Force

Under the guidelines, women and young girls wearing short or revealing clothes will not be permitted to enter the temple. Men have also been instructed to wear modest attire while visiting the shrine.

Devotees performing Rudrabhishek during Shravan must follow a separate dress code. Men will be required to wear a dhoti, while women must wear either a saree or a salwar suit to perform the ritual.

The temple administration has displayed notice boards across the premises informing visitors that the temple is a sacred place of worship and meditation and that devotees should enter dressed appropriately and with devotion.

Additional Restrictions for Devotees

Apart from the dress code, the temple has issued several instructions for visitors during the holy month.

Devotees have been advised not to wear excessive gold or silver jewellery because of the risk of theft. They have also been asked not to remain near the Shivling for an extended period after offering prayers and to leave the sanctum promptly after completing rituals.

Selfies and photography inside the temple premises have been prohibited. The administration has also banned the use of polythene and plastic, including plastic cups for offering water or performing abhishek, stating that such offerings hold no religious merit.

Smoking, as well as the consumption of gutka and pan masala, has also been prohibited. Devotees have been urged to help maintain cleanliness inside the temple.

Temple Says Rules Aim to Preserve Sanctity

Temple head priest Brahmachari Shri Dharanand said devotees at the Mankameshwar Temple, also known as Kameshwar Tirth on the banks of the Yamuna, would be allowed to perform Rudrabhishek only while wearing traditional Indian attire.

He said the decision was taken to encourage devotees to dress modestly in Indian clothing so that worshippers remain focused during prayers without distraction and can perform rituals with complete devotion.

Dharanand added that the temple administration would provide dhotis free of cost to male devotees performing Rudrabhishek. The garments will have to be returned after the ritual.

The decision has also received support from several devotees visiting the temple. Many said places of worship should not be treated as tourist destinations and that visitors should wear respectful clothing, with women preferably dressed in sarees or salwar suits and men in modest attire while entering the shrine.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share