Gujarat’s Shamlaji Temple Bars Devotees From Wearing Short Dresses, Makes Masks Mandatory

A placard in this regard has also been placed outside the premises of the temple, located in Aravalli, on the directions of the temple trust.

(Image: File Photo/ shreeshamlajivishnutemple.org)

In the wake of the surge in coronavirus cases across the country, Gujarat’s celebrated Shamlaji temple has barred devotees wearing short dresses from entering the temple premises besides making it mandatory for all to wear masks or face cover for entry inside the temple vicinity.

A placard in this regard has also been placed outside the premises of the temple, located in Aravalli, on the directions of the temple trust.

The sanctum sanctorum of the temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, has a black coloured statue of the deity.

Shamlaji was a centre for culture from ancient times as good relics of Shaiva Vaishnav and Buddha religions have been found there.

The people began to call Shamlaji as Devgadadhar during the 15th century following the bhajans of celebrated Bhakti saint Mirabai and poet-saint Narsinh Mehta.

It is believed the temple must have been renovated in the 15th-16th centuries during the rule of Mughal emperor Akbar, who adopted a liberal policy towards Hinduism.