The dhoti is a five-yard rectangular piece of cloth worn by men in India, usually wrapped around the waist and legs and secured with a knot. It is a symbol of Indian culture and worn for formal occasions. Different regions of India have different ways of wearing it, and the Hare Krishna religious sect has helped popularize it in the West. The cloth does not have pockets and is not commonly worn with undergarments.
A dhoti is a rectangular piece of cloth, usually white or cream in color, measuring five yards in length worn by men in India. Although there are more than 60 ways to wear a dhoti, it is usually adorned by wrapping it around the waist and legs, then securing it with a knot at the waist. The dhoti is often seen as a strong statement of Indian culture and is worn for formal occasions such as performances, weddings, and important government events.
Each region of India has different standards on how the dhoti should be worn. In the northern regions of India, the garment is commonly worn with a loose-fitting shirt called a kurta. In South India, men usually wear it with an angavastram, an unstitched cloth that is draped over one shoulder. It is not uncommon for men in this region to shorten the cloth by folding it in more at the waist, thus leaving the knees, calves, and feet bare. However, this way of wearing the dhoti comes with restrictions as it is considered socially disrespectful to talk to women or superiors with bare legs.
The Hare Krishna religious sect has helped popularize dhoti in the West. This sect requires its followers to adhere to a strict dress code that includes wearing the cloth in white or saffron yellow. Most people also associate the cloth with Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian spiritual leader and activist who often wore it to honor his heritage.
To wear a dhoti, a person first wraps the cloth around the waist in the middle of its length. Instead of holding the fabric at the corners of each end, one person holds the sections on each side that are furthest in and closest to the waist. The rest of the fabric can be allowed to fall to the floor.
A knot is then tied using the inside of both sides of the cloth near the stomach to tighten the cloth. Then it is tightened enough so that the hands can be free. The right side end of the fabric that has fallen to the floor is raised between the legs and pulled up at the back so that it can be tucked into the waist. The same is done with the end of the left side.
Although this garment does not have pockets, many men use the folds of the fabric at the waist to carry important personal items such as ID cards and money clips. The dhoti is also not commonly worn with undergarments. This is generally the rule because it completely covers the legs and midsection of the body.
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