Hindu groups take cue from state on temple dress code

Panaji: Taking a cue from some temples in Goa, which have implemented a dress code for entry to its premises, Hindu organisations across the country will work on introducing the same throughout India. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), Sanatan Sanstha and at least 300 other Hindu organisations decided this at the ongoing Global Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav being held in Ramnathi, Goa.
“Many temples in Goa have done a very good job of implementing the dress code. Inspired by Goa, we will see that this is taken up in temples across the country,” said Sunil Ghanwat, coordinator of the ‘Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh’.
The Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh and Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh have been working to preserve and promote the temple culture in Goa and Maharashtra. Together, we have implemented a dress code for 131 temples in Maharashtra. Soon, we will host meetings for temple trustees in other states like Karnataka and Delhi to create awareness about the same, Ghanwat said.
“In Goa, Mahalassa Narayani temple, Maruti temple in Mapusa, Mahalaxmi temple in Bandora, Shree Manguesh temple at Mangueshi have imposed a dress code. We will see that such a dress code is implemented in all temples in Goa,” said Jayesh Thali of the Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh.
Hundreds of representatives of 310 Hindu organisations from 22 states and from some countries abroad are attending the Global Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav in Goa.
The Hindu organisations also said they will start identifying temples demolished during the Mughal rule in India for reconstruction, taking note of the Goa government’s initiative to reconstruct temples destroyed during the Portuguese era.
“Goa government’s stance on Hindu temples is praiseworthy. We know how Mughal invaders went on a rampage to demolish the ancient and significant Hindu temples,” said Ghanwat.
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, spokesperson of the Hindu Front for Justice and a Supreme Court lawyer involved in the Gyanvapi legal battle at Varanasi, said that some Muslim parties are spreading rumours that the Gyanvapi petition has been withdrawn.
“Don’t believe such rumours. On the contrary, we will fight to our last breath to free the Kashi Vishwanath from Islamic encroachment,” Jain said.