Major temples across Tamil Nadu will be off-limits for mobile phones starting 1 September 2025, under a sweeping directive issued by the state's Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. The ban, announced on Saturday, 8 August, aims to protect the sanctity of worship spaces and put an end to unauthorised photography, videography, and the making of social media reels inside temple premises.

Key Directives Under the New Rules

Temple administrations have been given 20 days to set up secure deposit counters where devotees can leave their phones before entering. Notices explaining the restriction must be prominently displayed at all entrances and key locations within the temple complex.

Devotees will hand over their devices at designated counters and collect them after completing darshan. A nominal charge of ₹5 per phone will apply, with receipts generated through the department's Integrated Temple Management System (ITMS). Deposit counters will be staffed by volunteers or designated personnel, and CCTV cameras will monitor facilities to ensure device security.

VIP Visit Protocols Tightened

Alongside the phone ban, the HR&CE Department has introduced stricter guidelines for visits by actors, politicians, and other prominent personalities. Temple authorities must now inform HR&CE Commissioner Vinay at least one day in advance of any such visit, providing the date, time, and the number of accompanying individuals.

For last-minute visits, officials are required to alert the department immediately and make arrangements without disrupting the regular flow of devotees. Photography and videography will be prohibited within temple premises during VIP visits, and officials have been specifically instructed to ensure that special arrangements for prominent visitors do not restrict access for ordinary worshippers.

Why the Department Is Acting Now

The directives were issued on the instructions of HR&CE Minister Ramesh and are being implemented in line with existing court directions, according to the department. The mobile phone ban is specifically targeted at preventing visitors from filming or photographing deities and sanctum sanctorums — a practice that has reportedly grown with the rise of short-form video content on social media platforms.

This is not the first time Indian temple authorities have sought to regulate conduct within sacred spaces, but the Tamil Nadu move is notable for its scale — covering all major temples under the HR&CE umbrella — and for pairing the ban with a structured deposit infrastructure backed by the department's digital management system.

What Happens Next

Enforcement will begin from 1 September 2025, with HR&CE officials directed to take strict action against anyone found engaging in unauthorised photography or videography. The department's move is expected to be closely watched by other state governments that manage large temple trusts, as debates around devotee conduct and digital intrusion in religious spaces continue to grow nationally.