In a radical break from the centuries-old dress code of the Sree Krishna temple in Guruvayur, the shrine's management on Thursday decided to allow women wearing churidars to enter it.

Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee chairman Thottathil Raveendran told reporters the change was made as part of the ongoing process of reforming the temple rules in the wake of the recent controversy sparked by the "purification ceremony" peformed in the shrine after a visit by Union Minister Vayalar Ravi's son.

The decision marks a major change in the custom which insisted that only women clad in saris or Kerala's [Images] traditional 'mundu' and 'veshti' could enter the shrine.

Men are also not allowed to enter the temple, known for its rigid customs and practices, wearing pants and shirts.

Some women's groups have demanded changes in the outdated dress code followed by the temple, which is visited by thousands from across the country every day.