Tirumala is situated about 3200 feet above sea level and is about 28 sq. km surrounded by scenic beauty. Tirumala is located in Seshachalam range of Eastern Ghats and the holy temple is located on the 7th peak also known as Venkadathri (where Lord Venkateswara resides). Tirupati is also considered as spiritual headquarters of Andhra Pradesh.
Lord Balaji of Tirumala Tirupathi is famous not only in India, but from various parts of the globe. Millions of pilgrims visit Tirumala each day, waiting in long queues to get the blessings of the Lord. The temple of Tirumala is one of the finest examples of Dravidian style of architecture. The deity of Lord Venkateshwara is about 8 feet tall and the entire dome (Vimana) that covers the God is made of gold.
Why Dress Code in Tirupati & Tirumala?
Being one of the most visited temples in India, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has started to follow dress code from the year 2013. One can get the spiritual ambience if he/she follows traditional dress code. When it was implemented in 2013, only the devotees who do Arijitha Sevas in Tirumala were asked to follow dress code but now any pilgrim who wishes to get darshan of Lord Balaji should follow the dress code.
Dress Code for Male
You are allowed to enter Tirumala temple, if you wear a simple shirt and trouser or dhoti or kurta pyjama. Wearing dhoti along with uttareeyam (upper cloth) is ideal for those who wish to perform Arjitha Sevas in Tirumala Tirupati.
Dress code for Female
You are allowed to wear saree/salwar kameez with chunni/half-saree for having darshan in Tirumala.
What Happens If You Don’t Follow Dress Code?
You can roam around the Tirumala temple premises with any comfortable dress of your choice. But for having darshan of Lord Venkateswara you will be stopped before entering the Vaikuntam complex and asked to change to the ideal dress code.
Which Dresses Are Not Permitted?
Any men wearing shorts, jeans, T-shirts, lungi, burmudas will not be allowed in Tirumala. Women are not supposed to wear any Western outfits like sleeveless T-shirts, nighties, churidhar without duppatta (upper clothing).
What About Foreign Devotees?
Foreign devotees who visit Tirumala can follow the same dress code mentioned above. Volunteers present in Tirumala ensure that every devotee wears traditional clothing and covers the body in proper manner. Any foreigner who wear clothing in “revealing” way with modern outfits are not allowed inside the temple premises.
Concept Behind Dress Code
Since its inception of dress code in Tirumala in 2013, TTD states that devotees are encouraged to follow dress code in Tirumala, only with the view of increasing spirituality. Devotees present inside the temple should not get distracted by indecent clothing and modern outfits that are aimed in disclosing the physique of men or women.
One should not dress in awkward manner revealing the body parts so that other devotees get disturbed. The idea behind adopting certain dress code in Tirumala is to increase the holy and divine thoughts among the pilgrims.
Dress Code Of Various Sevas In Tirumala / Tirupati
Devotees who take part in certain Arjitha Sevas like Thomala seva, Suprabhatha Seva, and Kalyanotsavam are to strictly follow the dress code policy in Tirumala. Men should wear dhoti and upper clothing and those who chose to wear pyjama and shirts can wear the dhoti on top of pyjama. Similarly women who take part in such Sevas are expected to adhere to the traditional dress code in Tirumala wearing saree, churidhar with duppatta.
Even if you do not have dhoti with you, plenty of shops in Tirumala sell dhoti and upper clothing at affordable prices.