Dress code not compulsory at Batu Caves

The Batu Caves temple management has clarified that the dress code will not be strictly enforced at present.

PETALING JAYA: The Batu Caves temple management has vowed not to turn away or stop anyone from entering its grounds based on what they are wearing despite a notice on dress code.

“We are not going to stop anyone from entering the temple area. That is not our intention.

“This (the notice) is more of a request for visitors to show respect by not smoking or dressing indecently as it is a place of worship here,” said temple works committee chairman N. Sivakumar.

It was reported that the management had put up a notice, saying that a dress code prohibited joggers from wearing shorts or mini skirts if they wanted to jog up the stairs leading to the temple area.

Among others, the notice also prohibited people from smoking, running up the steps of the Batu Caves, spitting and bringing pets.

Sivakumar said the management had to put up the notice after many devotees complained about joggers dressing indecently and smoking in the vicinity of the temple.

“We do not want people to jog up the stairs because it is not safe. If they fall, they may also hurt others who are climbing the stairs at the same time.

“Most of the joggers run up the stairs in the morning and evening. This is the time when we hold prayers and there are many devotees heading to the temple,” he said.

However, the management will strictly enforce the no-smoking rule in the temple area.

The temple, he added, was now considering another method to ensure visitors were decently dressed.

“We are thinking of setting up a booth at the entry to provide shawls or sarees to visitors and tourists to use if they are planning to enter the temple,” he said.