Puri: On the auspicious occasion of January 1, the administration of Shree Jagannath Temple took decisive steps to enhance the sanctity and decorum within the revered 12th-century shrine. In a significant move, the temple authorities made the dress code mandatory for devotees seeking entry into the sacred temple premises.
With effect from January 1, a complete ban has been imposed on chewing gutkha and pan within the temple, along with the prohibition of using plastic and polythene. Devotees are now required to adhere to a specified dress code, emphasizing the need for “decent clothes” to enter the temple. Notably, individuals wearing half pants, shorts, torn jeans, skirts, and sleeveless dresses are not permitted within the temple premises.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had previously issued a directive, and the police have been entrusted with enforcing these restrictions. The ban on gutkha and pan aims to preserve the sanctity of the temple, and violations are met with fines, as confirmed by an SJTA official.