Ayodhya, Oct. 2 -- The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has tightened security and cash-handling procedures at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, introducing pocketless saffron uniforms for employees involved in counting offerings and imposing stricter restrictions on mobile phones and movement in sensitive areas.

The measures are aimed at strengthening internal security, ensuring accountability and preventing unauthorised handling of donations. Employees engaged in counting offerings will now wear a prescribed one-piece saffron uniform without pockets and undergo security checks every time they enter or leave the counting room.

The counting is conducted in two shifts and involves 36 personnel, including 10 from the temple trust, four temple employees and 22 from an outsourced agency. Workers sit on the floor in the prescribed uniform during the process. Officials said there was no earlier specified dress code for staff involved in counting. A three-tier security arrangement has been introduced at the entrance to the counting room. CCTV cameras have also been installed inside and around the facility, with officials directed to ensure continuous functioning.

The measures follow directions from the trust's new CEO, retired Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra, to clearly define employee responsibilities and fix accountability for lapses.

The trust has also revised guidelines for priests. Under the new dress code, priests must wear a yellow silk achala and uttariya with a dhoti, replacing the earlier chaubandi attire. The dress code was introduced during Janmashtami.

Priests have been barred from carrying mobile phones into the sanctum and advised against making social media statements about the temple that could create misleading impressions. They have also been directed to remain at designated places, maintain courteous behaviour with devotees and inform the shift in-charge before leaving their assigned locations.

Unnecessary conversations, group discussions and joking during service have been discouraged, while priests have been told to remain calm during incidents and seek guidance from designated officials when required.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.