Disallowing ‘churidar’ in Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala HC cautions bureaucrats not to break Temple Tradition.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

The decision of Hindu Priests is the final words for the matters related to Temple Rites and Rituals. Bureaucrats must not interfere….

No churidar at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Kerala High Court.

Shruthi Narayan | HENB | Thiruvananthapuram | Dec 8, 2016:: Kerala High Court rejects the new dress code at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple that allowed women to wear churidar to the famed shrine. On Thursday, the designated bench delivered its judgement making it clear the chief priest’s word is final with regard to temple rites and rituals.

The court order came while considering multiple petitions by private parties.

A woman advocate, Riya Raji, had challenged the customary dress code for women entering the temple.

The HC said that believers should adhere to the earlier dress code of wearing a sari while entering the temple. The HC said that believers should adhere to the earlier dress code of wearing a sari while entering the temple.

With the court order, women in churidar will have to continue to drape a mundu (dhoti) over their churidars to enter the temple.

The court had last month directed the the executive officer of the temple K.N. Satish to take an appropriate decision after speaking to concerned and intimate the court.

According to tradition at the temple in Thiruvanthapuram, women devotees have to wear a mundu (dhoti) over their waist if they are attired in salwars or churidars. Photo Courtesy: TOI.

On November 28, Satish informed the High Court that it had been had been decided to allow women in churidar also to enter the temple.

The next day, things turned chaotic after strong opposition from various Hindu organizations who called the order a gross breach of the temple tradition.

While some women entered the temple in churidar, many were turned turned away by protesters. Satish had then told the protesters to approach the High Court.

Many Many did — and got back the tradition.

The court made it clear that a bureaucrat has no right to make changes in the tradition as he is only an employee.

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__Input from Agencies