Norm of men removing upper garment before entering temples evil, time to change: Kerala Sivagiri mutt head

Swami Sathchidananda, who raised the issue, is the president of Sivagiri Mutt, established by social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. It is also the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham, an organisation established by Guru to propagate his concept of “One Caste, One Religion, One God”.

The mutt is a major pilgrimage centre of the backward Ezhava Hindu community in Kerala. As a social reformer, Guru fought against superstitions and championed the right of those from the lower caste to enter and worship in temples.

Addressing the inauguration of the annual Sivagiri pilgrimage at the mutt, Sathchindanadan said, “It is an evil practice. In the past, this practice (removing the upper garment) was started to ensure that punool (a sacred thread worn by the upper castes) could be seen. That custom still continues in temples. Sree Narayana society wants that practice to be changed. There is no doubt that this is an evil practice. In Sree Narayana temples, this practice does not exist. A timely change is required in this regard.”

Vijayan, who spoke at the event, backed the view. “Swami has mentioned a message, which could turn into a major social intervention. The swami has put forward a suggestion that upholds the noble tradition of Guru. I am sure that many places of worship will follow this. There is no need to compel anyone. It is a fact that many practices have changed in tune with the times. The temples associated with the Sree Narayana movement have adopted that change. I hope other places of worship (temples) will also follow that change,” he said.

In Kerala, many prominent temples still have a dress code for the faithful.

The dress code for women at temples has been debated in Kerala in the past. The Kerala High Court had in 2016 held that women devotees should not be allowed to wear salwar kameez or churidars inside the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram; instead, they have to wear a dhoti over their dress (churidar or salwar kameez) to enter.

While the temple executive officer had allowed entry of women wearing churidar or salwar kameez, without tying a dhoti, the court, acting on petitions from devotees, held that the temple priest is the only authority to change the customs.