A new dress code for priests serving at the Ram temple in Ayodhya came into effect on Friday, with all priests now required to wear traditional yellow upper garments while conducting prayers and religious ceremonies.

The new rule was implemented from the second shift of temple rituals and has already brought visible uniformity to the appearance of priests performing worship at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.

Under the revised guidelines, priests conducting daily pujas, aartis and other religious rituals are wearing unstitched yellow uttariya (upper cloth), in line with Vaishnav traditions and the Ramanandacharya lineage followed at the temple.

Temple authorities said the move is aimed at giving the religious proceedings a more disciplined, dignified and traditional character while ensuring consistency in the appearance of priests involved in worship and ceremonial duties.

NEW ATTIRE VISIBLE DURING JHULANOTSAV

The new dress code was prominently on display during the ongoing Jhulanotsav celebrations at the temple.

Priests dressed in yellow uttariya performed rituals and Vedic ceremonies before placing the movable idol of Ram Lalla in a flower-decorated palanquin for the traditional swing festival proceedings.

The ceremonies were conducted amid Vedic chants and customary rituals, offering devotees their first glimpse of the newly mandated attire during a major temple event.

BASED ON VAISHNAV TRADITIONS

The dress code has been prescribed by the temple’s religious committee and is rooted in established Vaishnav customs and the Ramanandacharya tradition.

Officials associated with the temple believe the standardised attire will strengthen religious decorum and reinforce the spiritual identity of the priests who play a central role in the temple’s worship system.

The introduction of a uniform dress code is also being viewed as part of broader efforts to streamline and formalise religious practices at the Ram Temple.

Sources associated with the temple administration indicated that additional regulations concerning religious and ceremonial arrangements may be introduced in a phased manner in the future as the temple continues to refine its operational and ritual framework.

With the new rule now fully in force, devotees visiting the temple will see priests performing all rituals in the prescribed yellow attire, marking a new chapter in the evolving traditions of the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

– Ends

With inputs from Mayank Shukla

Published By:

Nitish Singh

Published On:

Aug 16, 2026 02:29 IST