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Ayodhya: Ram Mandir imposes new dress code for priests on Friday, 14 August 2026. All priests are now required to wear a traditional yellow upper cloth for prayer and religious rituals. The new dress code has been implemented from the second shift of temple rituals and has already ensured uniformity in the appearance of the priests.

Under the dress code, priests are required to wear a tradition unstitched yellow uttariya during the daily pujas-aartis and other religious rituals in the temple. The new dress code follows Vaishnav tradition and the Ramanandacharya tradition of the temple.

The new dress code is now visible in practice, especially during the ongoing Jhulanotsav celebrations. Priests in the new dress have performed Vedic rituals and taken part in the ceremony in which Ram Lalla's movable idol was physically carried in a flower-decorated palanquin. Devotees were also first exposed to the new dress.

The main goal of the dress code, according to the temple officials, is to provide more discipline and decorum to religious activities. A standard dress for everyone also makes priests look similar and creates a more organized atmosphere during worship.

Officials also consider the new dress as a means to preserve traditional practices in the midst of temple activities and believe that the new dress will strengthen the religious identity of the priests and preserve an old temple character.

As the dress code has been fully implemented now, everyone visiting the Ram Mandir can also see priests in the new dress for the queue of rituals. It is another step towards formalizing and organizing the temple's religious practices.