Mumbai: In many Indian homes, the child form of Lord Krishna, known lovingly as Laddu Gopal, is not just a deity but a cherished member of the household. Devotees lovingly care for him as they would a small child—bathing him daily, dressing him in fresh garments, and offering him the first bite of every meal. This divine practice is believed to bring joy, prosperity, and spiritual purity into the home.

However, there are certain sacred rules that devotees must follow when it comes to Laddu Gopal’s daily care. One such often-overlooked tradition is what to do with his old or worn-out clothes. Just as it is inauspicious to worship a broken idol, dressing Laddu Gopal in torn or dirty garments is considered to invite negativity into the home. So what’s the proper way to handle his old attire? Here’s what the scriptures suggest.

Clothes You Should Never Dress Laddu Gopal In

It is considered highly inauspicious to dress Laddu Gopal in torn, old, or unclean clothes. Doing so is believed to attract negative energy into your household—just as worshipping a damaged idol would. While clothes that are simply dirty can be washed and reused, garments that are torn should never be stitched and used again. They should respectfully be retired from use.

What to Do With Laddu Gopal’s Old or Torn Clothes?

1. Immerse Them in Holy Water:

If the garments are no longer usable or have torn over time, the most sacred method is to immerse them in a natural water body such as a river, pond, or holy tank. Hindu scriptures recommend this ritual as a respectful way to part with clothes once offered to the deity.

2. Bury Them in the Ground:

Another traditional method involves burying the old clothes in the soil, around 1 to 2 feet deep. This is especially encouraged near sacred plants like banana trees, tulsi (holy basil), or Indian gooseberry (amla). It is believed that this enriches the soil and avoids any form of disrespect to the deity.

3. Repurpose Creatively—But With Caution:

While reusing the fabric as it is may not be ideal, you may cut the cloth into small pieces and use them in a respectful way, such as in homemade decorative items. However, avoid repairing or restitching the old garments for reuse on the idol itself. Such practices are discouraged in traditional belief systems.

Laddu Gopal should always be adorned in clean, fresh garments as a sign of devotion and purity. Discarding his old clothes casually or disrespectfully is not just improper—it could also disrupt the spiritual harmony of your home. By following these age-old customs, you honour not just the deity, but also the faith and energy he brings into your life.

(Disclaimer: The information provided is based on traditional beliefs and religious texts. News9 Live does not endorse or validate these claims.)