Ayodhya, July 31 -- The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has fully implemented a mandatory dress code for all priests serving at the Ram Temple complex, bringing even temporary priests posted at the six subsidiary temples along the parikrama and the Sheshavatar Temple under a uniform code.
From Guru Purnima onwards, all 13 temporary priests have been required to wear the Trust-prescribed attire-a yellow pitambari chaubandi, dhoti and safa-while performing religious rituals. The Trust has provided the official uniforms to all of them, completing the rollout of a common dress code for every priest serving within the temple complex.
The prescribed attire was already being worn by four senior priests and 18 priests who had undergone a year-long training programme conducted by the Trust before being assigned duties at the Ram Lalla and Ram Parivar temples. Each priest has been issued two sets of uniforms for summer and two for winter. The chaubandi carries the Trust's maroon-coloured emblem on the left side. Under the new arrangement, priests will arrive at the temple in their regular clothes and change into the prescribed attire inside the premises before beginning their duties. Separate storage facilities have been created for their personal belongings. Temple authorities said the uniform would help devotees and staff easily identify priests across the sprawling temple complex.
The dress code was first introduced on July 1, 2024, but was not implemented uniformly during the initial months.
The then chief priest, the late Acharya Satyendra Das, had expressed reservations over the move and was later exempted because of his health. Following his demise, the Trust has made the dress code mandatory for all priests without exception.
Priests serving at the Ram Lalla and Ram Parivar temples begin their daily duties at 4 am, conducting rituals from the deity's awakening to the nightly shayan ceremony. These include Madhuparka, Bal Bhog, Mangala Aarti, abhishek and shringar at scheduled intervals. Priests at the six parikrama temples and the Sheshavatar Temple report at 6 am to perform morning rituals before the temple opens to devotees at 7 am.
Meanwhile, the Trust clarified that no air-conditioning system has been installed inside the sanctum sanctorum as the temple has been built in the traditional North Indian Nagara architectural style, which relies on natural ventilation. During peak summer, tower air conditioners or coolers are used whenever necessary for the comfort of the Ram Lalla idol.
The temple is also preparing to unveil an enhanced night-time appearance with a new facade lighting system.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.