Dress Code Now Mandatory at Murudeshwara Temple: Western Attire Banned to Uphold Sanctity

News Flash

23 June

Devotees Must Wear Traditional Indian Clothing; Temple Management Responds to Public Demand Amid Complaints of ‘Inappropriate Dressing’

Bhatkal: The Murudeshwara Temple, one of Karnataka’s most iconic pilgrimage and tourist destinations, has officially enforced a mandatory dress code for all devotees seeking darshan of Lord Shiva, banning western and casual clothing inside the temple premises.

The decision was made by the temple administration in response to growing concerns from local devotees and pro-Hindu organizations, who have long urged the temple authorities to preserve the sanctity and spiritual atmosphere of the shrine.

“The dress code has been introduced to maintain the temple’s sanctity and cultural values,” said temple officials, adding that signboards have been installed at the entrance to inform visitors of the new guidelines.

What the New Dress Code Says:

Under the revised guidelines:

• Men must wear shirts, dhoti, pants, or kurta-pyjamas.

• Women must wear sarees or salwar-churidar with appropriate dupattas.

• Jeans, shorts, skirts, sleeveless tops, T-shirts, and other western or revealing clothing are strictly prohibited.

This regulation will apply to all visitors, including domestic and international tourists.

Why Now? Rising Complaints Prompt Action

For the past few years, several locals and devotees had expressed displeasure over increasing instances of “inappropriate” dressing by tourists, particularly during the busy holiday and festival seasons.

🗣️ “This is a sacred space, not a selfie spot. People were coming in shorts and revealing dresses, which hurt our religious sentiments,” said a local devotee who supported the decision.

Following multiple petitions and representations by community leaders, the temple committee decided to implement the dress code, aligning with practices already followed at other major temples in India such as Tirupati, Guruvayur, and Madurai Meenakshi.

Tourism with Tradition: Striking the Balance

Murudeshwara, with its towering Shiva statue and scenic beach backdrop, attracts lakhs of visitors annually. The new dress code is part of a larger move to ensure that tourism does not override temple traditions.

The temple management has clarified that no entry will be permitted without appropriate attire, and temporary clothing arrangements may be considered for unaware tourists in the future.