Kerala temple to allow men to wear shirts, end century-old custom

• Starting February 4, men can worship at Sree Gowreeswara Temple in Ernakulam district of Kerala, wearing shirts.

• The temple authorities have decided to discontinue the practice of men removing their upper clothes to worship.

• Swami Sathchidananda of the Sivagiri Math will announce the change.

• The temple, where Sree Narayana Guru installed the idol, is open to all, including non-Hindus.

• The Vigyana Vardhini Sabha has called for support for the “renaissance movement” related to the temple dress code.