The Karnataka High Court has directed the office bearers of the society managing the Sri Maha Mrityunjaya Mahadeshwara Temple in Madikeri, Kodagu district, not to prevent anyone dressed in traditional attire, provided it is decent, from entering the temple premises. The court’s decision came after a petition was filed by Sanju CA and Amith Beemaiah, who alleged that the society had been barring Kodavas from entering the temple while wearing their traditional attire.
The petitioners highlighted that a society was registered on October 10, 2024, to manage the affairs of the temple located in Kattemadu Village. One of the society’s byelaws, clause 7, reportedly prohibited members of certain communities from performing rituals in the temple. The petitioners argued that this clause, under the guise of enforcing a dress code, was being used to prevent people from wearing traditional Kodava attire.
The petitioners also provided evidence that during temple celebrations between December 23 and 27, individuals wearing Kodava attire were denied entry to the temple. The court noted that while the byelaw did not explicitly state that people in Kodava attire were banned, preventing entry based solely on traditional attire would be arbitrary and contrary to public policy.
Justice R. Devdas, presiding over the case, ordered the temple society to refrain from denying entry to individuals wearing traditional Kodava clothing. The court also issued a notice to the office bearers of the society and relevant authorities, scheduling further hearings for February 27.
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