Wearing churidar while worshipping against temple's tradition: Sasikala

Thiruvananthapuram: As some Hindu organizations came out against the decision to relax the dress code for women in Padmanabha Swamy shrine here, Hindu Aikya Vedi chairperson Sasikala Teacher on Tuesday said women entering the temple wearing churidar was against its rituals and tradition.

Justice Shaji P Chaly of the High Court had Monday, while disposing of a petition by one Riya Raji, directed the temple Executive Officer to consider her plea against forcing women in salwars and churidars to wear a dhoti before entering the shrine and take an appropriate decision after providing an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner or any other interested persons within a month.

Following the court order, Executive Officer K.N. Satish issued an order allowing the women devotees to wear churidar while worshipping.

Opposing the order, Sasikala Teacher said the EO cannot take such a decision which was against the temple's rituals and tradition.

BJP leader Sobha Surendran said though personally she was not against women wearing salwar and churidar entering the temple, the EO should have discussed the matter before all concerned before taking such a decision.

Some Hindu organisations Tuesday protested in front of the Padmanabha Swamy shrine here against the decision. Some members of the Kerala Brahamanna Sabha squatted on the road leading to the western entrance of the shrine protesting the decision. However, women wearing salwar kameez and churidar could enter through the eastern entrance.

A member of the sabha said the EO's decision was against the temple's centuries-old tradition. Their representatives met the administrative committee chairman on the matter.

However, the Executive Officer told PTI devotees were entering the temple wearing salwar and churidar. This was an issue before the Kerala High Court and he had to get a legal advice from his advocate on the matter.

Asked if any status quo has been directed on the matter, he said he had not received any such order as of now.

Women devotees earlier had to wear a 'mundu' (dhoti) over their waist if they were attired in salwar and churidar before entering the famous shrine, considered the richest Hindu temple in the world.