Thiruvananthapuram: The Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here witnessed protests on Wednesday after it relaxed the dress code restrictions for women.
The executive officer of the temple, K N Satheesh had issued an order on Tuesday allowing women wearing churidhar salwar to enter the temple. Earlier, women could enter the temple only wearing a saree, skirt or a dhothi.
"A decision was taken today to allow women to wear salwar kameez and churidars...from this evening itself, devotees can offer worship wearing salwars and churidars,” Sateesh had said.
A group led by members of Brahmana Sabha, Bhakltha Jana Sabha, Hindu Aikya vedi, Kshethra Samrakshana Sabha (temple protection sabha) held protest at the west entrance and east entrance of the temple. At the west entrance, the protestors were more in number and they told devotees who came in churidhar that they cannot enter inside. Many devotees returned while some wore a dhothi and then entered.
Initially, there was even confusion among the guards at the entrance as they had not received the new dress code order. They allowed women wearing churidar to enter once they received the order.
Meanwhile, the protestors said that they will not allow this change of tradition to happen as it is against the age-old rituals of the temple.
They will hold a meeting in the evening to discuss as to how to go forward with the protest.
Satheesh said that he has issued this order based on a direction from the Kerala High Court.
A petitioner had approached the court and it directed the executive officer to take a decision by November 28 and he also informed the court.
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