Devotees visiting major temples in Tamil Nadu will no longer be allowed to carry their mobile phones inside temple premises from September 1, as part of a new move to preserve the sanctity of religious spaces and curb photography and social-media content.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has instructed temple authorities to set up designated counters where devotees can deposit their phones before entering. The devices will be kept in safe custody and returned after darshan.
₹5 fee for depositing mobile phones
Devotees depositing a mobile phone will have to pay ₹5 per device. Temple authorities will issue a receipt for the deposited phone. The department has asked temples to put employees or volunteers in charge of the counters. They will have to maintain proper records of the phones received and handed back to devotees.The arrangement is intended to ensure that devotees can retrieve their phones without confusion or delay.
Tamil Nadu Temples Mobile Ban List
| District | Temple |
|---|---|
| Chennai | Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore |
| Vadapalani Andavar Temple | |
| Parthasarathy Swamy Temple, Triplicane | |
| Vadivudai Amman Temple, Tiruvottiyur | |
| Thyagarajaswamy Temple, Tiruvottiyur | |
| Tiruvallur | Devi Karumariamman Temple, Thiruverkadu |
| Bhavani Amman Temple, Periyapalayam | |
| Veeraraghava Temple, Tiruvallur | |
| Subramania Swamy Temple, Tiruttani | |
| Kancheepuram | Murugan Temple, Kundrathur |
| Kamakshi Amman Temple, Mangadu | |
| Subramania Swamy Temple, Vallakottai | |
| Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram | |
| Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram | |
| Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram | |
| Madurai | Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple |
| Subramania Swamy Temple, Tirupparankundram | |
| Kallalagar Temple, Alagarkoil | |
| Dindigul | Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani |
| Thoothukudi | Subramania Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur |
| Tiruvannamalai | Arunachaleswarar Temple |
| Tiruchirappalli | Mariamman Temple, Samayapuram |
| Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam | |
| Tirunelveli | Nellaiappar Temple |
| Kanyakumari | Thanumalayan Swamy Temple, Suchindram |
| Coimbatore | Koni Amman Temple |
| Marudamalai Subramaniyaswamy Temple | |
| Salem | Kottai Mariamman Temple |
| Ramanathapuram | Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram |
| Tenkasi | Tirumalai Kumaraswamy Temple, Panpoli |
| Tirukutralanathar Temple, Courtallam | |
| Erode | Bannari Mariamman Temple, Sathyamangalam |
| Sangameswarar Temple, Bhavani | |
| Ranipet | Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Sholinghur |
| Thanjavur | Brihadeeswarar/Peruvudaiyar Temple |
| Cuddalore | Sathya Gnana Sabha–Vallalar Deiva Nilayam, Vadalur |
No photography, videography or reels inside temples
The decision comes amid concerns over the increasing use of mobile phones inside temple premises for taking photographs, recording videos and making social-media reels. Temple staff have been directed to stop unauthorised photography and videography. The restrictions will also apply when VIPs and other dignitaries visit temples.
However, photography or videography involving VIPs and dignitaries can be allowed if prior permission has been obtained. The department's focus is not limited to mobile phones. Temple authorities have also been told to ensure that unauthorised recording does not take place inside the premises.
Tamil Nadu temples may get new queue systems
The mobile phone restriction was among several issues discussed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
During question hour on Monday, HR&CE minister C Ramesh said the government is examining queue management systems for major temples. The aim is to make the movement of devotees smoother, particularly at temples that witness large crowds.
The government is also considering changes to entry and exit routes at major temples. Better crowd movement, the minister said, would help devotees get darshan without unnecessary obstruction.
Preparations begin for 2028 Mahamaham
The state has also started preparations for the 2028 Mahamaham festival in Kumbakonam. According to the minister, a review meeting has already been conducted through the district collector, with officials from different government departments taking part.
The preparations are expected to involve coordination among various departments as the festival draws large numbers of devotees to Kumbakonam.
For now, the immediate change for visitors to major temples is the mobile phone rule. From September 1, devotees will need to leave their phones at designated counters before proceeding inside.
