Ganpatipule temple to enforce dress code for devotees from January 1

The famous Shri Kshetra Ganpatipule temple in Ratnagiri district has decided to enforce a dress code for devotees and tourists visiting for darshan. The temple is a self-manifested (swayambhu) shrine on the shore of the Arabian Sea and is a centre of faith for lakhs of devotees across the country. Like the Ashtavinayak shrines, it is considered swayambhu and jagrut. Located on the Konkan coast, the temple is also called the gate deity of the western direction. Its setting, with the sea to the west and green hills to the east, draws large crowds for darshan.

The new rule framed by the temple administration will be strictly enforced from January 1. Devotees have earlier been urged to wear appropriate clothing while visiting the temple, and awareness boards have also been put up in the temple premises. But the trust has now made clear that from the first day of the new year, the dress code will no longer be just an appeal but a mandatory rule.

Ganpatipule is a popular tourist destination as well as a religious site, and many tourists visiting the beach also go to the temple for darshan. However, entry will no longer be allowed to those wearing skimpy beach clothes or the kind of light clothing worn while sightseeing. Devotees and tourists wearing skirts or dresses above the knee, or clothes printed with indecent language, objectionable words or images, will not be allowed inside the temple. Visitors will now be required to wear clothing considered decent for a religious place.

The temple administration has, however, given relief to young children from this rule. Children below 10 years of age have been exempted from the dress code and the restriction will not apply to them.

Earlier, devotees were only urged through awareness campaigns to wear proper clothing, but from January 1 this will be strictly enforced in practice. Tourists and devotees planning to visit Ganpatipule will therefore need to keep the new dress code in mind.