Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday ruled that women in churidar (tight trousers worn typically with a long shirt) cannot pray at the famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here.
The ruling came as the court disposed of multiple petitions.
A woman advocate, Riya Raji, had challenged the customary dress code for women entering the temple — a sari.
The court last month directed the executive officer of the temple, K.N. Satish, to take an appropriate decision after speaking to all concerned and intimate the court.
On November 28, Satish informed the High Court that it had been decided to allow women in churidar also to enter the temple.
The next day, things turned chaotic after strong opposition from various Hindu organisations who called this a gross breach of the temple tradition.
While some women entered the temple in churidar, many were turned away by protesters. Satish told the protesters to approach the High Court.
Many did — and got back the tradition.
A few years back, the Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayoor in Kerala also allowed the entry of churidar-wearing women. The rule stands.
