Siddhivinayak temple began implementing its new dress code over the weekend as thousands of devotees visited the shrine for the Maghi Ganeshotsav which started on February 1. The temple authorities said that though they have not started strictly enforcing the code, including a ban on shorts and body revealing outfits.
Devotees dressed inappropriately were not turned away at the security gates but were told about the rules. “There were people wearing shorts and they were stopped and told about the new rules. We are not enforcing the rules strictly because devotees from other states may not be aware of the new rules,” said Dr Sandeep Rathod, Deputy Executive Officer of the temple trust.
A couple from South Korea surprised temple staff by visiting the temple in traditional Indian clothes on Friday. The woman was dressed in a saree. They told the temple staff that they had read about the dress code.
The temple is celebrating Maghi Utsav between January 30 and February 4 and on Sunday, between 40,000 to 50,000 devotees had taken darshan by evening.
