Fri Jan 10 22:13:00 UTC 2025: **Kerala Temple Dress Code Sparks Debate**

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, January 11, 2025 – A debate is raging in Kerala over the traditional practice of men removing their shirts before entering Hindu temples. The controversy was ignited by Swami Sathchidananda, religious head of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust, who called for the practice to end, citing hygiene concerns and its historical links to caste discrimination. He argues that the tradition, requiring men to enter temples bare-chested, was implemented to exclude lower castes.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan voiced his support for the reform, aligning it with the social reform movement of Sree Narayana Guru. However, this has been met with resistance from some priests and community leaders who believe temple traditions should remain unchanged. The Nair Service Society also criticized the suggestion, highlighting the deep divisions amongst Hindu communities in the state.

Historians and some priests counter Swami Sathchidananda’s claims, suggesting the shirtless practice was a gesture of respect, not a tool of exclusion. They point to historical examples of both upper-caste individuals and royalty removing upper garments in temples as a sign of reverence to the deity. The practice, they say, is rooted in the belief that devotees absorb divine energy through their hearts.

The issue is further complicated by varying dress codes across different temples. While some temples, like the Guruvayur temple, have relaxed their dress codes over time, others maintain stricter rules. The Sree Padmanabha temple, for example, requires men to wear dhotis and women saris, providing rentals on the premises for those arriving in other attire.

Several devotees and social activists, including Mukkoli Raveendran, have voiced their support for the reform, even abstaining from temple visits until the practice is changed. They argue that the current dress code deters young men from participating in religious practices. The debate continues, revealing a complex interplay of religious tradition, social reform, and historical interpretation in Kerala’s temple culture.

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