Since Friday those who turn up in short dresses at the famed Virupaksha temple at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi are being given a ‘panche’ and a towel at the door by the Vijayanagara district administration.
The administration has kept 500 ‘panche-towel’ sets at the entrance and visitors are asked to don one set before entering the temple “to maintain decency and respect the sentiments of other devotees”.
‘Not dress code’
Deputy Commissioner M.S. Divakara said that it was a “not a dress code” as the administration hadn’t imposed a particular type of dress.
“Hampi is not just a tourist destination; it is also a religious destination. Men and women from across the globe visiting Hampi also visit Virupaksha temple. They are often in shorts, Bermudas, and banians. It does not go well with our temple tradition. So, we have started distributing ‘panche’ and towels. We are providing it for free and asking tourists to return them as they leave. Those who…
