Buying a sarong and dressing right for temples the practical wardrobe rules
I keep seeing the sarong recommended as the do everything garment for temple visits and modesty here Where do I buy a real one not a tourist printed one how do I actually tie it and what are the genuine temple dress rules beyond cover shoulders and knees Does the white clothing thing apply to visitors what about removing hats and the foot pointing rule I want to get this respectfully right everywhere
4 Answers from travellers
Local woman happy to give the practical wardrobe rules The sarong buying a real one the everyday cotton sarong men wear and the batik and handloom wraps are sold at any town textile shop and market a genuine handloom or batik piece costs a few hundred to a couple thousand LKR and beats the thin tourist printed versions buy from a proper cloth shop not a beach hawker and you get real fabric that lasts the trip and dresses up or down Tying it simplest for temple use as a wrap step in hold it behind you bring both edges to the front fold one over the other and roll the top down firmly to hold or just tie a knot a shop assistant will demonstrate in ten seconds if you buy there for women a long wrap skirt or a sarong tied at the waist plus a shoulder scarf covers every temple requirement instantly The genuine temple dress rules beyond shoulders and knees both covered for everyone shoes removed always (carry socks the stone bakes) hats removed inside the temple and ideally off as you enter the sacred area the white clothing point white is the devotional colour and locals wear it for worship visitors are NOT required to wear white covered and modest in any respectful colour is completely fine wear white only if you want to blend in at a Poya the foot pointing rule matters do not sit or point the soles of your feet toward a Buddha statue or a monk tuck your feet behind you when sitting and crucially the never turn your back to a Buddha for a photo rule the selfie with your back to the statue is the classic offence step beside it not in front facing out The other essentials no photos posing with or touching Buddha images speak quietly switch the phone to silent and follow the locals lead on where to stop and bow get these right and you are welcome in every temple on the island
The white is optional for visitors clarification helps I assumed it was required covered and modest in any colour plus the foot and back to Buddha rules this is the respectful wardrobe sorted thank you
The back to Buddha selfie offence cannot be repeated enough I watched a guard quietly but firmly stop a tourist mid pose at a major site step beside not in front
The handloom sarong doubles as a beach cover a laundry day backup and a temple wrap one purchase three jobs the best value item I bought all trip
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