Temple allows churidhar; women prefer saree

Guruvayoor, Kerala, July 27 (UNI) Though the famed Sree Krishna Temple here opened its doors to women clad in churidhars breaking the centuries-old dress code, only very few used the freedom with majority of them still preferring the traditional saree,skirt and ''mundum neriyathum.'' Except a few youngsters, most of the women devotees who visited the temple today were seen in traditional sari, skirt and ''mundum neriyathum,'' Guruvayoor Temple Superintendent Achuthankutty said.

''We have only taken away the restriction of wearing churidhar as women devotees from other states, particularly from Northern states, are denied permission to enter the temples and face difficulties,'' he told UNI.

The new code would help only devotees from other states and those who wanted to visit the temple after attending some other functions, he said and claimed most of the women devotees in Kerala preferred to wear the traditional Kerala style dress.

Endorsing the views of Mr Achhuthankutty, most of the women who talked to UNI said they preferred the traditional saree while visiting the temple.

Ms Sobha, a house-wife and a chartered accountant from Triprayar, opined ''we should always uphold the sanctity of temples and saree is the most suitable dress while visiting temples for pilgrimage.'' Ms Sindu and Ms Prathibha from Kunnamkulam, who are regular visitors to the temple said ''we are not against wearing churidhars as it is convenient for travelling.

But it is not good while visiting temples and we prefer only sarees.'' However, Sheena, a housewife from Kozhikode, supporting churidhar, said ''it is a good dress. We can visit the temple even after attending a function.

The ban of churidhar kept some women from visiting the temple because they are not allowed to enter the temple wearing it.'' However, Sheena also maintained that if she wanted to visit the temple, she would wear only a saree.

Mithun Mohandas, a teenager from Kodungallur said she would never visit the temple in churidhar. ''I prefer only skirt or saree as we should always maintain temple tradition.'' The Superintendent also expressed the hope that in future more women would visit the temple wearing the churidhars, as the order in this regard was issued only today.

The Guruvayoor temple governing body, which met yesterday decided to allow women wearing churidhar to the famed Sree Krishna Temple here, after discussing the matter with Hindu religious scholars and priests.

According to the temple tradition, women were not allowed to enter the temple wearing churidhars.

However, men were not permitted to enter the temple precincts wearing pants.

UNI