The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) which manages the country's richest temple in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh started implementing a "dress code" for VIP pilgrims who want to have the break darshan of Lord Venkateshwara in the morning and evening.

Clothes like bermudas, shorts,  mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops and for that matter, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are now forbidden inside the temple if u visit Tirumala and have the special break darshan of Lord Venkateshwara temple. Otherwise, you will not be allowed into the temple.

As per the new code, women devotees can wear saree or a chudidar with chunni, whereas male devotees can wear dhoti or lungi with uttareeyam or kurta-pyjama. A TTD official said, “A simple shirt and trousers are also allowed, but it would be ideal if men wear dhoti and uttariyam. Other than these traditional dresses, no other outfits like bermudas, T-shirts, jeans, shorts and other Western-style dresses are permitted.”

And if any devotee forgets to follow this dress code, he or she will be advised to change the dress before entering the queue complex, added the official.

The TTD Trust Board has been considering the dress code issue for the past two years and has finally given a nod for the implementation of the new dress code for the temple in a recent meeting. TTD executive director L.V. Subrahmanyam said, "We have decided not to allow the western outfits only to maintain spiritual ambience in the temple premises,"

The TTD had received several suggestions from devotees in the past about following a specific dress code for the hill shrine. There were complaints that several pilgrims were wearing "revealing" modern outfits that were distracting the attention of other pilgrims in the temple premises. "Once the pilgrim enters the temple premises, he has to be spiritually attracted to the God and should not get diverted by indecent attractions. That is why we have decided to enforce the dress code," said the TTD official.

At present, there is already a dress code in force for pilgrims taking part in special rituals like Suprabhatam, Thomala Archana and Kalyanotsavam. Now, it has been extended to the general devotees. "At present, the dress code is being confined to VIP pilgrims seeking break darshan of Lord Venkateshwara. Gradually, it would be extended to all the devotees throughout the day in a phased manner. It would be applicable even to the foreign devotees and they should cover their body before entering the temple," the official said.