Chikkamgaluru (Karnataka), Jul 19: The Sharadamba temple in Sringeri has introduced a dress code for devotees entering the shrine, starting from August 15.

According to a statement from the temple administration, only traditional Indian attire will be permitted for those visiting the temple for darshan.

It specified that devotees must wear traditional Indian clothing while visiting the Sringeri Sharade temple and the Shankaracharya Guru's Mutt located across the Tunga river.

Those who do not comply with the dress code will be restricted to viewing the deity from outside the Ardha Mandapam, unable to access the inner sanctum, the Gharba Gudi (Sanctum Sanctorum), and the inner Parikrama.

The prescribed attire includes dhoti, shalya, and Uttariya (Angavastram) for men, and saree-blouse, salwar-dupatta, or langa davani for women, it stated.

This dress code has previously been enforced during the pada pooja and Guru darshan at Gurunivas of Sri Math. However, starting from August 15, it will be strictly applied to all devotees visiting the temple.

The imposition of the dress code has been positively received on social media, with devotees across the diaspora expressing support. Many have observed that some visitors dressed inappropriately, treating the temple precincts more like a tourist spot than a place of worship.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh government will make protesters involved in the Sambhal violence pay for damage to public property while posters of "stone pelters" will be displayed at public places, an official said on Wednesday.

Four people died and scores, including police personnel, were injured in Sambhal on Sunday after a confrontation erupted over a court-ordered survey of the city's Shahi Jama Masjid in Kot Garvi area, following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple once stood at the site.

"The UP government is adopting a firm stance against the individuals involved in the Sambhal violence. Posters of the stone pelters and miscreants will be displayed publicly, and recovery of damages will be sought. A reward may also be announced for information leading to their arrest," an official spokesperson said.

In a similar initiative, the government had previously put up posters of individuals linked to vandalism during the anti-CAA protests in 2020. These posters were displayed across several locations, including the state capital, but were later removed following a court order.

The violence in Sambhal erupted on Sunday when a large crowd gathered near a mosque and began chanting slogans as a survey team resumed its work. The situation escalated when the protesters clashed with security personnel, set vehicles on fire, and pelted stones.

So far, police have arrested 25 individuals and registered seven FIRs, which include charges against Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, the Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Sohail Iqbal, son of the party's local MLA Iqbal Mehmood, and over 2,750 unidentified suspects.

A magisterial probe is underway, and Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi stated on Monday that the situation was now under control. He assured that "strict action will be taken against those responsible for the unrest."