Partially on topic: temple outfit

[Jainarayan]

It's partially on topic only because it has to do with going to temple.

Does this outfit "pass muster" for temple? It's a lightweight shirt (I'd wear a white t shirt underneath), with white scrubs pants. The pants don't seem to look any different than yogi pants I've seen on-line. I'm uncertain about the outfit only because they are not "authentic" salwar kameez.

If not appropriate for temple, I'll still keep it, to wear the shirt elsewhere, and the pants around the house. I'd also wear the shirt with a dhoti. I have a few more shirts cut and shaped like it that I'd wear with the pants or dhoti; it wouldn't be my One Official Temple Outfit.

 

[Vinayaka]

Depends on the temple, but modesty is the key. Some temples might slightly object to the short sleeves, but not likely that one.

 

[Don Penguinoini]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that whatsoever. Do not let anyone tell you that is inappropriate either.

 

[Vinayaka]

Just be happy you're not in some temples in TN, where you'd be taking off that shirt.

 

[Jainarayan]

Thanks. The short sleeves are no issue... people come in wearing cargo shorts, jeans, t shirts and basketball shorts. I would never dream of doing that. I wear jeans less to work than I used to in case I decide spur of the moment to go to temple after work.

I got an e-mail from the lady at the office. She is bringing me a dhothi. I don't know what it looks like, but I'm sure it's nice, and I have a feeling she won't take any payment for it. If she doesn't, I'll make an extra donation.

 

[Jainarayan]

Just be happy you're not in some temples in TN, where you'd be taking off that shirt.

Why is that? Are they very conservative, or is it the custom to go bare-chested (like our priests)? I'm not embarrassed at all, I have a pretty good physique... the shirt is quite loose and makes me look fat.

 

[Vinayaka]

It's the custom. A security guard will have you take it off.

 

[Jainarayan]

Hmm... interesting. It sounds like a south custom, where it is hotter. Though I know I know very little. Here I'd never think of going shirtless, lest it be thought I was trying to imitate a priest. I'm even curious to see some of the looks I might get wearing pleated dhothi... white boy out-Hinduing Hindus. Otoh, I know some people will be quite honored and flattered.

 

[Jainarayan]

Btw, she has the angavastram for me also. Not sure how to wear it. I think some of the older men wear it around their waists over the shirt. The priests wear it variously draped over their upper bodies, or around their waists.

 

[Vinayaka]

Hmm... interesting. It sounds like a south custom, where it is hotter. Though I know I know very little. Here I'd never think of going shirtless, lest it be thought I was trying to imitate a priest. I'm even curious to see some of the looks I might get wearing pleated dhothi... white boy out-Hinduing Hindus. Otoh, I know some people will be quite honored and flattered.

I tried to find a Youtube video instruction thing for the way I wear it (veshti) but unfortunately I couldn't find one. It's not pleated, but its not the South Indian style on the videos either. I get the out-Hindu thing all the time. But still mu advice is to practice a lot, or it might fall off. It's really not that easy.

 

[Jainarayan]

I found these. This is how I'd like to wear it. It doesn't look difficult, just time-consuming. I joked and told the women that if they didn't see me on Sunday it was because I was still trying to wrap and fold the darn thing.

If I get it folded right, and I'm skittish about it staying up, because I'll be wearing a shirt to cover the waist, I can get a length of fabric as a belt, ala an obi.

[youtube]Uef6PR_Leic[/youtube]
How to wear Dhoti - YouTube

[youtube]7cG7P5Xn1lE[/youtube]
HOW TO WEAR A DHOTI-VRINDAVAN STYLE. - YouTube

 

[Jainarayan]

Well, I got my dhoti and angavastram from the lady at temple. She gave it to me as a gift in a little gift bag. It is brand new, cream color with gold border and extremely see-through. I couldn't thank her enough. So, it took me about 2 hours to get some semblence of wearability out of it. It stayed on, and really didn't look bad for my first effort... 2 hours or not. I'll practice a few more times before Sunday morning.

I think I might wash it and iron it before the weekend. Cotton tends to tighten up after washing, so some of the see-through may diminish. At any rate I'll wear white underneath. I have a cream color shirt, and a few others that will complement the cream and gold.

This is the style I used, the Vrindavan style from the video. That's not me, that's the guy in the video.

 

[Jainarayan]

Btw, where does one keep keys and wallet? I'm thinking of white gym shorts with pockets, underneath the dhoti.

 

[Vinayaka]

Btw, where does one keep keys and wallet? I'm thinking of white gym shorts with pockets, underneath the dhoti.

Usually in the shirt ... the long Indian kind, or even a regular shirt. Brahmins who often get cash dakshina, have spectacular ability at tucking cash in the folds somewhere.

I usually leave my car keys hidden in my shoes at the entrance, and the wallet in the locked car.

 

[Jainarayan]

I'll leave my wallet in the truck, but I'll take cash, my key and debit card with me. We have to park about 30 mins. away and take shuttle buses. The shirt I'm thinking of wearing has no pocket, but I just had an idea... a clip on sports wallet. I can clip it to the waist of the dhoti, under the shirt and angavastram. My phone (only because I'll be so far away from my truck) can also clip underneath. Thank God for clips.

 

[Jainarayan]

Well, in the continuing saga of temple clothing, I washed and ironed the dhoti. It came out very soft. Before washing, it was like chiffon. Ironing it wasn't that hard. It took less than a half hour as I watched a science program, When Aliens Attack. I think I may play it safe by using diaper safety pins clipped the waist so they don't show.

 

[Don Penguinoini]

If you don't feel comfortable wearing something, please do not. I firmly believe God does not look at unimportant details.

 

[Vinayaka]

Sometimes it takes awhile. If you trust that other people say after awhile that it gets comfortable, then keep trying for awhile. I remember the first few times I wore veshti, yes , it felt uncomfortable, like a towel at a sauna or something, like it could fall off any minute. But after many years of wearing one, now it has to be the most comfortable garment ever. I don't know when you would give up though. I'd say that maybe after 30 times ... something like that.

 

[Jainarayan]

If you don't feel comfortable wearing something, please do not. I firmly believe God does not look at unimportant details.

Sometimes it takes awhile. If you trust that other people say after awhile that it gets comfortable, then keep trying for awhile. I remember the first few times I wore veshti, yes , it felt uncomfortable, like a towel at a sauna or something, like it could fall off any minute. But after many years of wearing one, now it has to be the most comfortable garment ever. I don't know when you would give up though. I'd say that maybe after 30 times ... something like that.

Actually I can't wait to wear it. I may wear it Wed. night for the Sri Guruvayurappan Laksharchana. I almost wore it tonight, but I thought about it too late, and I didn't want to waste time and miss the Shiva Parvati Kalyanam.

And don't think that given half the chance I wouldn't wear it to work tomorrow for the Satyanarayana Puja tomorrow night. The whole office would be a-buzz, especially if I don't explain and give a Cheshire Cat grin.

I guess if hundreds of thousands of Indian men have no problem with it, they must be on to something. I really don't give up on anything. I can be like a pitbull. It really wasn't that hard to do, thinking back.

 

[Jainarayan]

I know this is turning into a blog. Over a month since I said I was going to wear the dhoti to temple. Another thing I had to work up the courage to do.

I practiced wrapping it a few times at home and did a pretty good job, even though it took almost two hours the first time. This morning I got it down to 10 minutes. Pleated, borders straight and all. I like the Vrindavan style because of the front and back pleats. And the safety pins give an added measure of security.

Anyway, I went to the Sri Guruvayurappan and Sri Maha Ganapathi abhishekams wearing it. One of the priests was doing a puja at a sanctum, looked up as I approached, smiled and gave me a literal thumbs up while he was chanting.

Another priest smiled and said something like "what happened here? At first I thought something was wrong with the dhoti, but his English is not good, and I think he meant "well, what have we here?" I said I decided to wear it to temple now, but I've worn it at home.

So I guess I got the Panditji Seal of Approval®