Introduction
Devotees
visiting major temples across Tamil Nadu will soon have to leave their
mobile phones at designated storage facilities before entering the temple
premises. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE)
Department has directed major temples to completely prohibit devotees from
carrying or using mobile phones inside temple premises from September 1,
2026.
The
new guidelines are aimed at preserving the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere of
temples and preventing activities such as photography, video recording, selfies
and social media reels. Temple authorities have also been instructed to provide
safe phone-storage facilities at temple entrances.
Tamil
Nadu Temple Mobile Phone Ban From September 1
According
to the latest HR&CE Department circular, devotees will not be permitted to
carry mobile phones inside major temple premises from September 1, 2026.
The
restriction covers the use of phones for:
- Taking
photographs of deities.
- Recording
videos.
- Taking
selfies.
- Shooting
social media reels.
- Making other
recordings inside temple premises.
The
objective is to ensure that devotees can experience the temple environment
without distractions and maintain the sanctity of religious spaces.
No
Photography or Videos Inside Temples
Temple
authorities have been instructed not to permit photography or video recording
involving:
- Deities
- Temple
rituals
- VIPs
- Public
figures
- Film
personalities
Permission
should not be granted for such recordings inside temple premises.
The
department has also expressed concern over the increasing practice of shooting
short videos and reels for social media while visiting temples.
₹5
Mobile Phone Storage Fee
To
help devotees comply with the new rule, temples have been directed to establish
secure mobile phone storage facilities at their entrances.
Storage
Fee
- ₹5 per mobile
phone
- A receipt
must be issued to the devotee.
- The
transaction should be processed through the Integrated Temple
Management System (ITMS).
The
storage arrangement is intended to ensure that devotees can safely deposit
their phones before entering the temple.
Why
Has HR&CE Introduced the Rule?
The
department said the latest directions were issued in accordance with an order
of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court dated December 2, 2022.
Earlier
circulars had also instructed temples to prevent devotees from carrying mobile
phones inside and to provide appropriate facilities for their safe storage.
However,
the HR&CE Department observed that some devotees continued to use phones
inside temple premises for photography, video recording, selfies and social
media reels.
According
to the department, these activities:
- Disturb the
peaceful temple atmosphere.
- Affect the
spiritual environment.
- Cause
inconvenience to other devotees.
- Distract
devotees during prayers and darshan.
New
Instructions to Temple Authorities
Major
temples have been directed to take several measures to ensure effective
implementation.
Display
Warning Boards
Clear
boards must be installed:
- At temple
entrances.
- Outside
temple premises.
- At other
prominent locations.
The
boards should clearly state that mobile phones are prohibited inside the
temple premises.
Public
Announcements
The
restriction must also be communicated through the temple's public address
system, so devotees are informed before entering.
Safe
Storage Facilities
Temples
must establish secure facilities where devotees can deposit their mobile phones
before proceeding for darshan.
What
Devotees Need to Know
From
September 1, 2026, devotees visiting major Tamil Nadu temples should:
1. Avoid
carrying mobile phones inside temple premises.
2. Deposit
phones at the designated storage counter.
3. Pay
the prescribed ₹5 storage fee per phone.
4. Collect
the receipt issued through ITMS.
5. Avoid
photography and video recording inside temple premises.
6. Follow
instructions displayed by temple authorities.
Impact
on Temple Visitors
The
new rule is expected to change how devotees experience some of Tamil Nadu's
major temples. Instead of focusing on taking photographs, recording rituals or
creating social media content, devotees will be encouraged to concentrate on darshan,
prayers and spiritual practices.
The
move also seeks to protect the sanctity of temple rituals and ensure a more
peaceful experience for everyone visiting the temple.
Frequently
Asked Questions
When
will the mobile phone ban begin in Tamil Nadu temples?
The
new restriction will come into effect from September 1, 2026, according
to the HR&CE Department's direction for major temples.
Can
devotees carry mobile phones inside temples?
Devotees
will not be permitted to carry mobile phones inside the premises of the major
temples covered by the directive.
How
much does mobile phone storage cost?
A
uniform fee of ₹5 per mobile phone can be collected.
Will
devotees receive a receipt?
Yes.
Temple authorities have been instructed to issue a receipt through the Integrated
Temple Management System (ITMS).
Can
devotees take photos or videos of deities?
Photography
and video recording of deities and other activities inside temple premises will
not be permitted under the new restrictions.
Why
are mobile phones being banned?
The
HR&CE Department says mobile phone use, photography, selfies and reels can
disturb the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere and inconvenience other devotees.
Will
temples provide phone storage facilities?
Yes.
Major temples have been instructed to establish safe storage facilities at
their entrances.
Conclusion
The
Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department's mobile phone restriction, coming into
effect from September 1, 2026, is intended to preserve the sanctity,
peace and spiritual atmosphere of major temples across the state. Devotees will
be required to deposit their mobile phones at designated storage facilities
before entering, with a ₹5 fee per phone and an ITMS-generated receipt.
The ban also prohibits photography, video recording, selfies and social media
reels inside temple premises. By following these guidelines, devotees can
contribute to maintaining the traditional discipline and peaceful environment
of Tamil Nadu's sacred temples.