Maharashtra’s Ganpatipule temple to enforce dress code, bar above-knee clothes

The revered Lord Ganesh temple in Ganpatipule, located in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district, will enforce a strict dress code for visitors starting from January 1, 2027, according to authorities. Nilesh Kolhatkar, chairman of the temple trust, Sansthan Shreedev Ganpatipule, announced the dress code last year and has been working towards raising awareness among devotees.

From next year, devotees wearing attire above the knee will be denied entry to the temple premises. The rules apply to both men and women, while children below 10 years old are exempted from the dress code. Kolhatkar clarified that skirts and shorts below the knee will not prevent devotees from entering the temple. The trust aims to preserve the temple's tradition and sanctity.

Kolhatkar said the attire code is intended to discourage grown-ups from wearing revealing clothing while entering the temple. Despite initial objections, the temple trust believes it is important to uphold age-old traditions and maintain the sanctity of sacred places like temples. The Ganpatipule temple attracts around 25 lakh devotees annually, with over 1,000 visitors visiting daily.

Footfall increases significantly on Chaturthi days, and the temple offers adequate food and accommodation facilities for visitors.