dress code at temple

Kerala is one of the places where multiple religions co-exist in great harmony. This is achieved by each religion respecting the customs and rituals of other religions. A visit to Kerala is necessary to understand the breadth of cultural influences in the state.

There are some rules and regulations that are to be followed when visiting the shrines of Kerala.

The temples of Kerala allow entry to visitors as long as the usual rules of the temple are observed. However, photography inside the temple is restricted. Also for male visitors at many places inside a temple, dress code is traditional mundu without a shirt - the no-shirt rule will be enforced even if the mundu rule is not. The best thing to do is to watch what others are doing and follow. You are also expected to take off your footwear outside the temple. Usually there are no locker facilities, cheap footwear is best.

However, in some Hindu temples non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the shrines. It is best to enquire at the temple.

For females any non-exposed dress, but preferably not shirts and trousers.

There are exceptions to these rules, for example everybody is welcome at Adhi Shankaracharya's temple. At Shabarimala any male who has done the prerequisite rituals are welcome, but females in the age group of 10-50 are not allowed entry.

At Muslim mosques females have some restrictions.

At Christian churches usually males should be at left side of the aisle and females on the right side.

The synagogue at Kochi is not open to non-Jews on Saturdays.