Why men remove shirt before entering temple especially in south?

I find this custom quite silly. Where in the religious books does it say this? I guess that many of these customs are for the convenience of men. Its quite warm in the South most of the time ( like they say, there are only 3 seasons in the South- hot, hotter, hottest) and the interior of temples are really humid as well...so going shirtless would be easier. Even for men doing pujas, removing the shirt/kurta is a must probably because being near the fire, it feels uncomfortable and so being shirtless is cool.

As someone says it is a way to show humility.These are traditions which may be part religious, part spiritual and part convenient (btw Tirupati is not a hot place, its cold most times of the year). Its not just temples, even during religious rituals at home a similar dress code is followed.

However it is not mandatory to remove shirts in all South Indian temples. While some temples esp in Kerala eg Ananthapadmanabha temple in Trivandrum, Guruvayoor etc and some in Karnataka around Udipi and other parts of north Karnataka make it mandatory for men, in most places only the priests follow this practice. Btw in some temples it is also mandatory for women to be dressed in either saree or half-saree.

For ages it was a practice to show your humility to some one you hold in esteem by baring your chest and in an esoteric sense demonstrate that you are unarmed and meant no offense.

It is a possible explanation that when you approach God's shrine you tend to show utmost humility and wrap your upper garment, ( there were no shirts those days) around your waist.

It may be remembered that even today in villages where dalits and upper caste Hindus live together the dalits are forced to tuck the upper garment under their armpit when crossing an upper caste person as a mark of subservience!

While denouncing such things I am just pointing out that removal of upper garment is an accepted form of exhibiting humility! As much as a westerner tips his hat to a Lady while passing as a mark of respect!

Its just of showing their affection and love to god.

Regards

Shashank

http://www.indialuxurytour.com/

Maybe God likes topless men more...I wonder why the same is not true for women... *sigh*