Tamil Nadu Temples to Ban Mobile Phones From September 1: Check New Rules

August 8, 2026

Chennai: Mobile phones will be completely prohibited in all major temples across Tamil Nadu from September 1 under a fresh set of measures introduced by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to preserve the sanctity of places of worship and curb unauthorised photography and videography.

The department has also tightened guidelines for visits by actors, actresses, political leaders and other prominent personalities to ensure that such visits do not inconvenience ordinary devotees or interfere with regular darshan.

Mobile Phones to Be Deposited Before Darshan

Under the new rules, devotees will have to deposit their mobile phones at designated counters before entering major temples.

Temple administrations have been given 20 days to establish secure facilities for depositing the devices. Notices explaining the restriction will have to be prominently displayed at temple entrances and other key locations.

Devotees will be able to collect their phones after completing darshan. A charge of Rs 5 per phone will be levied for the deposit, 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 ensure the security of deposited devices.

Photography, Reels and Videography Restricted

The mobile-phone ban is aimed at preventing visitors from photographing or filming deities and sanctum sanctorums and creating reels and other videos inside temple complexes.

HR&CE officials have been instructed to take appropriate action against anyone engaging in unauthorised photography or videography and strictly enforce the new regulations.

The department said the restrictions are being implemented in accordance with existing court directions and instructions from HR&CE Minister Ramesh.

New Rules for VIP Temple Visits

The HR&CE Department has also introduced stricter protocols for visits by VIPs and other prominent personalities.

Temple authorities will have to inform HR&CE Commissioner Vinay at least one day before a scheduled visit by a VIP or prominent personality. The communication must include the date and time of the visit and the number of people expected to accompany the visitor.

For short-notice visits, officials have been directed to immediately inform the department and make the necessary arrangements without disrupting the normal movement of devotees.

Photography and videography will not be permitted inside temple premises during VIP visits.

Officials have been specifically instructed to ensure that arrangements for prominent visitors do not affect the sanctity of temples or restrict access for ordinary worshippers.

The new measures are aimed at ensuring orderly temple visits while protecting the sanctity of major places of worship across Tamil Nadu.