Karnataka High Court Directs Temple Authorities to Allow Entry in Traditional Kodava Attire

Justice R. Devdas issued the interim order while hearing a petition filed by Sanju C.A. from Madikeri and Amith Bheemaiah P. from Virajpet. Photo The Kodagu Express

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday directed the office-bearers of Sri Mahamruthyunjaya Mahadeshwara temple in Kattemadu village, Madikeri, Kodagu district, "not to prevent any person wearing traditional clothes that are decent enough" from entering the temple premises.

Justice R. Devdas issued the interim order while hearing a petition filed by Sanju C.A. from Madikeri and Amith Bheemaiah P. from Virajpet. The petitioners challenged the recent decision of the temple’s management committee, which restricted entry for devotees wearing traditional Kodava attire, citing the ‘objectives’ outlined in its memorandum of registration. The committee had mandated that only those wearing dhotis would be permitted entry.

The petitioners alleged that certain individuals had formed a society in October 2024 to manage the temple’s affairs and were now barring Kodavas from entering in their traditional dress. The restrictions were reportedly based on a newly adopted norm stating that "no person shall perform any rituals of the particular community on the temple premises."

It was further contended in the petition that the committee’s decision had disturbed the peace and harmony of the temple and its surroundings. The district administration had upheld the committee’s restrictions in December 2024, further aggravating tensions.

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However, the High Court noted that the society’s objectives did not explicitly prohibit entry to individuals in traditional attire. The court ruled: "nevertheless, if the office-bearers of society are preventing any person who is wearing traditional attire and decent enough from entering the temple premises, such action will be arbitrary and opposed to public policy."

Meanwhile, the Temple Committee, led by Kattemane Shashi Janardhana and comprising around 40 members, reiterated its stance on maintaining the dress code. During a meeting with Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Venkata Raja on Tuesday, the committee asserted that "the dress code would remain unchanged."

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