Rigid dress code put in place at temple in Karnataka
Bengaluru, Oct 18: A rigid dress code banning jeans pant, trousers and Bermuda shorts has been put in place at the Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna, a popular pilgrimage centre, by its administration.
"We have already implemented the dress code in Gokarna.
The restrictions were already there but we implemented them a month ago," the executive officer of Gokarna Mahabaleshwar temple H Halappa told PTI Thursday.
He said shirt, pant, hat, cap and coat are also not allowed.
"For men only dhoti is allowed. They can't enter temple wearing shirts, tee-shirts and vest.
Women are allowed only in salwar suit and saree. They can't come in wearing jeans pant," Halappa added.
The Mahabaleshwar temple in Gokarna was built by Mayur Sharma of Kadamba dynasty in 4th Century AD.
Considered one of the seven "Mukti Kshetras or Muktistala ("places of salvation") in Karnataka, its location near the Karwar beach facing the Arabian sea has made it a tourist's delight.
The dress code order has, however, not gone down well with G K Hegde, former administrator of the Ramachandrapura Mutt near the Gokarna temple.
He said such rules will trouble the visitors as Gokarna also happens to be a major tourist destination.
"The dress code was only for men that they should not enter the temple wearing shirts and without taking bath.
There was no restriction for women," Hegde claimed.
The dress code should have been introduced by discussing with the devotees and temple priests who have been performing rituals for ages, Hegde said.
A similar restriction is in the offing at Virupaksha temple in Hampi, sources in the Karnataka Hindu religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment department told PTI.
The Virupaksha temple is among the oldest temples where the rituals have been going on since 7th century AD without break.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
