Chennai, August 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Mobile phones will be prohibited inside major temples across Tamil Nadu from September 1, with the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department introducing a new protocol aimed at preserving the sanctity of temples and preventing unauthorised photography and videography.
The department has also tightened regulations governing visits by actors, political leaders, celebrities and other prominent personalities to ensure that such visits do not inconvenience devotees or disrupt regular darshan.
The measures have been introduced following directions from HR&CE Minister Ramesh. Under the revised protocol, temple authorities must inform HR&CE Commissioner Vinay at least 24 hours before a scheduled VIP visit, providing details of the date, time and number of accompanying persons.
For visits arranged at short notice, temple officials have been instructed to immediately inform the department and make arrangements without affecting the normal movement of devotees.
Photography and videography will not be allowed inside temple premises during such visits. Officials have also been directed to ensure that special arrangements for VIPs neither affect the sanctity of the temple nor restrict access for ordinary worshippers.
The mobile-phone restriction is aimed particularly at preventing photography and filming of deities and sanctum sanctorums, besides curbing the creation of reels and other videos within temple complexes.
Temple administrations have been given 20 days to establish secure phone-deposit facilities at entrances. Prominent notices about the ban must also be displayed across temple premises.
Devotees will be required to deposit their phones at designated counters and collect them after darshan. A fee of Rs 5 per phone will be charged, with receipts generated through the department’s Integrated Temple Management System (ITMS).
Volunteers or designated personnel will operate the counters, while CCTV cameras will monitor the facilities to safeguard deposited devices.
The HR&CE Department said the restrictions were being implemented in accordance with existing court directions and ministerial instructions. Officials have been asked to take action against unauthorised photography or videography and ensure strict compliance with the new regulations.
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