According to a new rule, a dress code will be introduced for devotees, both men and women, entering the sanctum at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
As per the new rule, men will have to compulsorily wear the Indian traditional attire ‘Dhoti-Kurta’ and women will have to wear a saree to enter the inner sanctum and worship the deity.
UP Tourism and Dharmarth Karya Minister Dr Neelkanth Tiwari, who chaired the meeting, sought suggestions from the members of the Parishad for extending time for sparsh darshan so that many more devotees could touch the Jyotirlinga. Members of the Parishad unanimously said that the time could be extended to 11 am.
The timing extension and the clothing decision was taken by the Kashi Vidwat Parishad (the oldest and most recognised body of city’s Sanskrit Scholars and Vedic experts). The rule means that anyone wearing western clothing will strictly not be allowed and they will have to worship the deity from a distance. The dates for the implementation to be in practice, is yet to be decided.
Also Read: JNU Violence: HC issues notice to WhatsApp, Google, Apple on plea seeking to preserve data
Devotees who want to touch the Jyotirlinga (called sparsh darshan) in the sanctorum will have to follow the rules. The decision was taken on Sunday night by the committee.
The Parishad members also gave suggestions for fixing a dress code for the archaks (the priests who offer prayers at the temple).
“The new dress code for the devotees want to do sparsh darshan will be effective very soon. Temple administration has been asked to ensure it as early as it is possible. A dress code will also be decided for the archaks in order that they could be identified in the crowd,” said Tiwari.
The minister has also announced that Vedic Centre will be set up in Vishwanath Corridor area. At the centre, there will be a sub-centre to train the priests in basics of computer, and English speaking for three months.