Chennai: Mobile phone use will be banned in major temples across Tamil Nadu from September 1, as the Hindu Religious and Endowments (HR&CE) department moves to protect temple sanctity and curb unauthorised photography, videography and social media reels.
Under the new guidelines, devotees will have to deposit their mobile phones at designated safe-deposit counters before entering temple premises. Temple administrations have been given 20 days to establish the required facilities. A fee of ₹5 per phone will be collected and a receipt will be issued through the Integrated Temple Management System (ITMS).
The restrictions are aimed particularly at preventing photography and video recording inside sanctum sanctorums and other temple areas.
The HR&CE department has also issued stricter instructions for visits by actors, political leaders and other dignitaries. Temple authorities have been directed to ensure that such visits do not inconvenience ordinary devotees or disrupt darshan arrangements.
The HR&CE Commissioner must be informed at least a day before a dignitary’s scheduled visit, along with details such as the date, time and number of people accompanying the visitor. In the case of an emergency visit, officials must be informed immediately and necessary arrangements made.
Photography and videography will also be prohibited on temple premises during such visits.
The department has directed temple administrations to implement the mobile phone restrictions and ensure that devotees have convenient and secure facilities to deposit their devices before entering the temples.
