Metro India News | amaravati

In a bid to preserve the sanctity and traditions of one of Andhra Pradesh’s most prominent temples, the Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada will enforce a mandatory dress code for devotees and completely ban the entry of cellphones from September 27.

The move follows concerns raised by temple authorities over devotees visiting the shrine in what they described as “inappropriate attire” and incidents of individuals recording videos inside the premises and circulating them on social media. Officials said such practices were eroding the spiritual atmosphere of the temple and disrespecting age-old traditions.

Under the new norms, men must wear dhoti, pancha, or formal trousers with shirts, while women will be required to wear sarees, half-sarees, or churidars with dupattas. Devotees failing to follow the prescribed dress code will be denied entry for darshan of Goddess Kanaka Durga.

The rules will apply equally to temple employees and priests. Staff members on duty must report in traditional attire and carry their identity cards at all times. Even VIPs and protocol visitors will not be exempt; they too must comply with the dress code and deposit their mobile phones at the temple office before entering the sanctum.

To enforce the ban, authorities are strengthening checks at scanning points, entry gates, and ticket counters. Security personnel will also be tasked with ensuring strict compliance with the regulations.

Temple Executive Officer V.K. Seena Naik said, “The decision aligns with practices followed in several major temples across South India, including Tirumala, where traditional dress codes and cellphone restrictions have long been in place. The objective is to maintain discipline, prevent distractions, and preserve the spiritual environment within the temple.”

The Kanaka Durga temple, is one of the most revered Shakti shrines in the state and is particularly famous for its annual Dasara festivities, which draw lakhs of devotees from across the country. Given the daily influx of thousands of pilgrims and the expected rise in footfall during the upcoming festive season, the temple administration believes the new measures will help protect the sanctity of the shrine while ensuring orderly darshan.