what is the dress code ?

[guruvayurappan]

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what is the dress code we have to follow to be identified as Hindu in foreign country

 

[prasad1]

what is the dress code we have to follow to be identified as Hindu in foreign country

Why?
We should dress according to our convenience, and it should meet the prevailing norms of the place we are in. As a normal person we should try to blend in, but if you are a fancy dress competition or attending a function you can dress according to the occasion. We are in US, and generally dress in casual US style, and some times in dressy European style, and for Indian occasion in Indian style.

I guess I do not understand the term "hindu" style.

 

[kunjuppu]

for a while, when the taliban ruled afghanistan, all hindus were asked to identify themselves openly by (i think) wearing a saffron string on their hands or such like.

it reminded me of the time during nazi era, when jews were forced to wear a star of david symbol on their coats, to openly identify themselves for insults and lynching.

the blacks in the usa did not need this because obviously their skin colour gave them away.

even the sikhs of today, a good number in india, and many outside, have eschewed the turban.

the muslims, some of them have taken to beards and long gowns in the west, but most of them dress like ordinary folks.

so why would anyone want to identify their religion in an increasingly multicultural world outside of india.

 

[guruvayurappan]

thank you for your brief about dressing in different occasion but why i added hindu style is -we can identify a Muslim,a singh or arabian by their dress. but a hindu is mostly identified by he tilakam in his /her forehead or by his speech, .

 

[kunjuppu]

thank you for your brief about dressing in different occasion but why i added hindu style is -we can identify a Muslim,a singh or arabian by their dress. but a hindu is mostly identified by he tilakam in his /her forehead or by his speech, .

not always. only certain muslims who wear the beard and the kulla.

most dont these days, till they are 60s or so, and then get the fear of the curtain dropping and then assume the outward forms of religiosity. in fact dont we do the same thing - go to kasi, assume madi and all that stuff? one relative of mine, on reaching 70 also put on the kudumi

 

[guruvayurappan]

you are absolutely correct .we can wear rudraksham and allow few strand of our hair grow longer .ha ha

 

[sangom]

How many ordinary people abroad, say, UK, US, will get any sense of the word Hindu? They may know "Indian", but not necessarily 'hindu'. After all we go their subject to that foreign government's mercy because we have some skillset to sell there for a better yield than what is possible in India. Knowing that we are thus, essentially, sudras migrating there and thus getting further downgraded to mlecchas*, according to the hindu religion, we must not try to be oversmart; do as the Romans do, if they permit you at all, must be our motto.

If we try to flaunt our hindutva everywhere we go, ultimately it may become counter-productive and affect us adversely.

*mlECh - to talk an unintelligible (to the vedic people) or foreign language.

 

[guruvayurappan]

for a while, when the taliban ruled afghanistan, all hindus were asked to identify themselves openly by (i think) wearing a saffron string on their hands or such like.

it reminded me of the time during nazi era, when jews were forced to wear a star of david symbol on their coats, to openly identify themselves for insults and lynching.

the blacks in the usa did not need this because obviously their skin colour gave them away.

even the sikhs of today, a good number in india, and many outside, have eschewed the turban.

the muslims, some of them have taken to beards and long gowns in the west, but most of them dress like ordinary folks.

so why would anyone want to identify their religion in an increasingly multicultural world outside of india.

exactly nowadays many people avoid to be identified .but when we indians assemble (even though the main concept is unity among us ) by identifying their original religion ,we can avoid the embracing situation of opening the topic not related to them

 

[kunjuppu]

exactly nowadays many people avoid to be identified .but when we indians assemble (even though the main concept is unity among us ) by identifying their original religion ,we can avoid the embracing situation of opening the topic not related to them

personally, i think, we should not indulge in topics of sensitivity with strangers.

always be discrete and use discretion. as a rule never discuss religion or politics with anyone other than immediate friends or family. sure to backfire and have long term consequences, unfavourable, otherwise.

 

[prasad1]

"I guess I do not understand the term "hindu" style." I still do not understand what is Hindu style.

In USA and to a greater extent in all developed countries we are treated with respect. I have seen or heard of being treated in different parts of India. A "madrasi" in Bombay, north Indian in Mumbai, a non-muslim in J&K, etc. So the idea that we are at the mercy of the local government may be limited to Muslim Governments.

A jewish person will wear a jewish hat called " kippah" on ceremonial days. Or a Khalsa will were his Pagadi. If your religion or your work demands it, please wear the appropriate dress. Hindu ladies wear the 'pottu' and dont have to be ashamed of it. Please wear it with pride what ever the occasion demands. If you want to show you affiliation to which ever sect you belong or fancy that day show the appropriate mark.

We went to Sri-Rangam temple (Ranganathaswami), my cousin from Chennai had this broad Vibhuti on his forehead, and he got a lot of attention. We were embarrassed for him, but he was fine with it. I guess it is the perspective.

In a mixed group one has to be careful and conscious of others, if some one else disparages you or your belief it is up to you to react depending on the risk involved.

Well said Kunjuppu, and you were faster than my typing.

 

[guruvayurappan]

personally, i think, we should not indulge in topics of sensitivity with strangers.

always be discrete and use discretion. as a rule never discuss religion or politics with anyone other than immediate friends or family. sure to backfire and have long term consequences, unfavourable, otherwise.

true .what i wanted is given in a sensible manner

 

[guruvayurappan]

nice to get your post .i want to say that in srirengam temple only thenkalai iyengars are given more prominance than vadakalai iyengars. for others treatment will be according to their money offered /government position .most of the police dept,taluka &muncipal corporation staff and their family are VIP and get dharsan easily .but ordinary local and people from far off place has to buy tickets for RS50 & 250 .going to temple has become a costly affair.

 

[Govinda]

what is the dress code we have to follow to be identified as Hindu in foreign country

The poster had asked the question appropriately in the right thread 'Philosophy and Traditions'. So, I pre-sume, he meant about following such a tradition in a temple or hindu gathering or at home. But, the 'need of identification' is still a question!

One may see, recently, that muslims simply resort to prayers publicly in foreign countries, simply to attract crowds. Whereas, sikhs follow turban as a custom.

Hinduism itself, is not meant to be followed for other's appreciation or for publicity or proselytizing. It advocates worship, prayer, adherence of rituals only to discipline one's mind regarding hygiene, self-control and realization. So, Hinduism has to be first understood and then followed, which would then ensue better results.

Why should a Hindu need a right attire for Worship?

The basic need for a clear mind is a healthy body [not the kind of Six-pack], but the kind of well oxygenated, well hydrated, alkaline (pH) gut. Such healthy body comes from the Sattvic practices - Sandhya -vandhanam/Yoga/Breathing [oxygenation] , then consuming sAttvic foods that can only be offered to the deities, avoiding those stupid entertainments [anything non-spiritual - violence/romance/vulgarity of words-actions - will only cause stress would upset the gut/body/mind], later devoting time on philosophical wisdom/ productive knowledge [-even science/critical-thinking/math/spiritual-re-juvenating arts-crafts are o.k. not the stupid Hussain kind], and end of the day, contemplating on one's self [self-awareness - like 'I was angry'] on those qualities that one need to focuss/correct the next day/next moment actively [meta self-awareness - 'I am going to be angry now, let me distract/control myself']. Thus such-awareness will develop with good body/mind and more live self-correction.

So, while following all these daily activities (nithya-karma), one should wear the right dress and the forehead marks, to ensure better assimilation of spiritual knowledge (lessons) from the daily practices.

But, freaking ourselves out in food habits, past-times, activities/karman, but wearing some outwardly traditional attires is like the muslim praying out on the streets. One should have the free-will to wear make-ups, face-masks and creams, but failing equally to eat nutrient rich - veggies and fruits [freaking out on their love foods - fried, acidic, fatty foods] is Self-Deception!!! This is exactly how every religion or faith is boasting to follow, without trying to correct their body/Mind and understand their Self.

Let us start following our external traditions in unison with inner realization/understanding, atleast one by one.

 

[prasad1]

Govinda post#13,
I guess you did not read his subsequent posts. He meant in a social setting not in a private setting. So the answers were appropriate. I still do not understand what is a 'Hindu Dress'.

Your answer is appropriate if you think he wanted to limit himself to his personal setting, and I have no argument with you.

 

[Govinda]

Prasad,

Govinda post#13,
I guess you did not read his subsequent posts. He meant in a social setting not in a private setting. So the answers were appropriate. I still do not understand what is a 'Hindu Dress'.

Your answer is appropriate if you think he wanted to limit himself to his personal setting, and I have no argument with you.

I just saw, Kunjuppu sir's answer was acknowledged.

We went to Sri-Rangam temple (Ranganathaswami), my cousin from Chennai had this broad Vibhuti on his forehead, and he got a lot of attention. We were embarrassed for him, but he was fine with it. I guess it is the perspective.

In a mixed group one has to be careful and conscious of others, if some one else disparages you or your belief it is up to you to react depending on the risk involved.

This is contrary to my answer, regd worship. One should wear the traditional or appropriate marks while visiting the temple, even if attended by a mixed group. Most people visit temples for wrong reasons, and I feel sorry for you while your cousin was responsible. It is o.k, if the Srirangam temple organizers don't favour non-thenkalai visitors, that is irrelevant to following one's duty. AnnamAchArya was a shaivite, sporting a VibhUti, while visiting Govinda. Initially, following basic etiquette while worshipping, promotes right mind-set for furtherance of humility/understanding/devotion.

 

[Nara]

what is the dress code we have to follow to be identified as Hindu in foreign country

Lot of people have given lot of information, but I am a little puzzled about a few basic questions.

The first one is the assumption that there is one single dress code that is uniquely Hindu, is this true?

Secondly, even if there was single unique "Hindu" dress code, in how many foreign countries would that dress code be recognized as uniquely Hindu. For example, in the west, anyone with a beard and a turban is Al Queda/Taliban material, and, in the aftermath of 9/11 a Sikh was mistaken to be a Muslim and was murdered. There are many more examples of such mis-identifications that fortunately did not result in paying the ultimate price.

Even if the above two are true, i.e. there is a dress code that is uniquely Hindu and is universally recognized as such in all foreign countries, what is the point, what is the compelling reason to advertize one's Hinduness by dressing up in this fashion? Orthodox Jews and Muslims do, but is that good enough reason for Hindus to do so as well?

I don't expect any serious and civil response to this post as everyone knows there are no convincing answers to these questions.

Cheers!

 

[renuka]

what is the dress code we have to follow to be identified as Hindu in foreign country

When our body is already a garment for the Atma which will be shed upon death and will take up another bodily garment in our next life(that too we have no idea which race or religion our next birth will be)..do we really need so much attachment to any other clothing?

Does dress code make one a Hindu?

I feel the best garment anyone can wear is the Garment of
Trikarana Suddhi(Purity of Thought, Word and Deed)

 

[kunjuppu]

When our body is already a garment for the Atma which will be shed upon death and will take up another bodily garment in our next life(that too we have no idea which race or religion our next birth will be)..do we really need so much attachment to any other clothing?



Does dress code make one a Hindu?

I feel the best garment anyone can wear is the Garment of
Trikarana Suddhi(Purity of Thought, Word and Deed)

pps.. those with truly moral behaviour must not read this post..this is x-rated

dear renus,

what a great opening for a widel and wild range of thought.

i did dream about 50 years ago, about a procession, when the entire troupe was dressed nature friendly .. i agree with you.

why dress at all? except to keep warm in cold climes. warm weather folks should go about the way they were born.

how innocent we would be and how inconsequential our body figures turn out. the profession of fashion, plastic surgery and talibanofallreligions will die.

jai aavarnam !! jai purity and down with prudity

ps.. but ofcourse we will be thinking of the next world and all the dingle dangles will be more of nuisance and not a source of titillation (sorry pun did meant there )

ps.. did you ever wonder the size of gomateeswara at saravanabeligola?

 

[renuka]

pps.. those with truly moral behaviour must not read this post..this is x-rated

dear renus,

what a great opening for a widel and wild range of thought.

i did dream about 50 years ago, about a procession, when the entire troupe was dressed nature friendly .. i agree with you.

why dress at all? except to keep warm in cold climes. warm weather folks should go about the way they were born.

how innocent we would be and how inconsequential our body figures turn out. the profession of fashion, plastic surgery and talibanofallreligions will die.

jai aavarnam !! jai purity and down with prudity

ps.. but ofcourse we will be thinking of the next world and all the dingle dangles will be more of nuisance and not a source of titillation (sorry pun did meant there )

ps.. did you ever wonder the size of gomateeswara at saravanabeligola?

Funny post..I cant stop laughing..you are making my imagination run wild!!!LOL

 

[prasad1]

I feel the best garment anyone can wear is the Garment of
Trikarana Suddhi(Purity of Thought, Word and Deed)

I have seen people in Kubha Mela. They must be pure, LOL.
We also had a sizable Jain population.
Just kidding, welcome back.

 

[Haridasa Siva]

Can't believe this. Vibhuti in Srirangam temple is a thing not-to-be. SVs are "generous" with "naamam" than vibhuti.

 

[renuka]

I have seen people in Kubha Mela. They must be pure, LOL.
We also had a sizable Jain population.
Just kidding, welcome back.

You guys are real funny Ok..poor me!!!
What I really meant is when we have Trikarana Suddh, the type of garment we wear doesnt really matter and you and Kunjs took it to a higher Digambara level huh!!!

Enna Kodumai sir idhu???(just kidding)

 

[Iyyarooraan]

The absence of dress will collect a mass of stones in case of males!

 

[kunjuppu]

The absence of dress will collect a mass of stones in case of males!

?????

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

You guys are real funny Ok..poor me!!!
What I really meant is when we have Trikarana Suddh, the type of garment we wear doesnt really matter and you and Kunjs took it to a higher Digambara level huh!!!

Enna Kodumai sir idhu???(just kidding)

As you all know in a brahmin family, for traditional function
and other functions, dress code differs according to the necessity and as the situation warrants. Generally
Ladies as far as possible should wear a descent dress, which should not invite them problem when they go out,
that too alone. That is all. Otherwise modern dresses are worn by ladies everywhere in cultural functions,
competitive programs, etc.

Balasubramanian
Ambattur