Kerala HC upholds entry of churidar-clad women to Guruvayur temple

Kochi, Aug 23 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today dismissed a public interest petition, challenging the decision of the Guruvayur Devaswom Management Committee to permit women to enter the renowned Sree Krishna Temple in 'churidar' instead of the traditional sari.

A Division Bench, comprising Justices K S Radhakrishnan and V K Mohanan, observed that wearing 'churidar' by a devotee could not be said to be objectionable since it was a popular dress worn by women in the country.

The court said ''We are not prepared to say that the order, dated July 26, 2007, issued by the Guruvayur Devaswom Management Committee, allowing devotees to enter the temple wearing churidar, in any way affects the customary rights of the temple.'' The petitioner, K Mohandas from Thirurangadi in Malappuram district, had contended that custom in respect of the dress code was being followed from time immemorial and the said custom would fall under the term ''custom of rite'' of the temple and hence the Committee had no power to alter the performance of such rites and ceremonies.

Rejecting this contention, the court said the Devaswom Committee had the power to permit entry of a devotee who wears a dress other than sari. ''We have not been furnished with any material to establish wearing of sari is a customary right or customary usage as far as Guruvayur temple is concerned.'' It also observed that women had welcomed the decision of the Devaswom Committee.

UNI