Improperly dressed for temple visit

BAD CONDUCT? Tank tops at Batu Caves yesterday. Tourists claim ignorance over proper attire — Pic: Ashraf Shamsul Azlan

BATU CAVES: Tourists have become so significant at the worldfamous Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves that it would not seem complete without their presence.

Sadly, however, many of them lack proper dress sense at a festival held to worship Lord Murugan.

It is easy to notice such tourists in the mass of Hindu devotees who throng the temple to fulfill their vows as they dress provokingly.

Cleavage, belly buttons and bare legs are no stranger to the festival as they make a comeback, year after year.

The tourists are obviously ignorant of the custom to wear such traditional attire as sarees, punjabi suits or jippa when visiting temples. In India, signs are put up at temples informing visitors to observe a proper dress code.

Moreover, only Hindu devotees are allowed lifelong vows: (From left) Vethewthiran, Vetheswaran, Vethavalli and Vethanayagan start their walk into the Sri Subramaniar temple in Gunung Cheroh on some temple grounds.

Tourist Joanna Szwajajacuta, 32, from Poland, a first-time visitor at the temple, said she was unaware of a dress code.

"I am sorry. I promise to cover up when I visit, next year" she said, embarrassed at her t-shirt, shorts and sandals.

Venezuelan Paulina Escarda, 22, on her second visit to Batu Caves said that when she visited the temple the first time, she had worn a spaghetti-top and lowslung jeans.

"I went up the stairs wearing that and nobody raised an eyebrow or stopped me from entering the temple."

"This is why I turned up this year in skimpier clothes," she said, pointing at her green racerback tank top and white shorts.

Lawrence, from Indonesia, said he had been visiting the temple for the past four years, always turning up in shorts and slippers.

"I never knew there was a dress code. Next year, I'll wear long pants," said the fiftysomething photographer.

Checks by The Malay Mail revealed that there are no obvious signages to instruct devotees or tourists on proper dressing when visiting the temple.

Likewise, strict enforcement in the temple vicinity to prohibit scantily dressed people from entering the temple is unheard of.

Worse is the fact that even local Hindu devotees do not dress appropriately when they visit the temple.

Jeans, baby-tees, sleeveless tops, short skirts, three-quarter pants and low-cut tops are a common sight.