Darjeeling’s Mahakal temple bans women in skirts and shorts, sparks dress code row

Women will no longer be allowed to enter Darjeeling's Mahakal Temple wearing skirts and shorts from now on. A notification has been issued by the temple committee in this regard. Following this decision, questions have been raised from various quarters about what kind of situation arose that compelled the temple committee to impose restrictions on women's clothing.

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The hills are home to numerous Buddhist monasteries, temples, and churches. However, such clothing restrictions have not been heard of before. Temple committee secretary Kishore Gajmer did not comment on the matter. However, a committee source revealed that while hill visitors have been frequenting the Mahakal Temple for a long time, tourist crowds have increased recently. Among these tourists, many women are allegedly entering the temple wearing skirts and shorts. Other devotees have raised objections to this. Following this, the temple committee issued the notification.

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S P Sharma, a leader of the ruling party Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha and one of the advisors of GTA in the hills, refused to comment on this matter. He said, "It is the committee's responsibility to decide who will wear what kind of clothing to the temple." The Mahakal Temple adjacent to Darjeeling Mall is very ancient. Until now, local Shiva devotees used to visit there.

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Over time, as the number of worshippers increased, shops selling flowers and puja items sprang up along the pathway to the temple. At one time, GNLF leader Subash Ghising used to visit that temple regularly. In recent times, many of the political leaders who have visited the hills also go to the Mahakal Temple and offer prayers. The temple's grandeur continues to grow with donations from devotees. The road to the temple has been widened. As a result, tourist crowds have also increased further. On Wednesday, too, several tourists visited the temple. However, no one wearing skirts or shorts was seen.