CHENNAI: The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has directed temple authorities to ensure that visits by VIPs and other important persons do not disrupt the darshan of ordinary devotees or affect the sanctity and traditions of temples.In a communication issued on August 7, the department said temple officials should be informed at least a day in advance about a VIP visit so that necessary arrangements can be made. If information is received at short notice, the executive officer should be informed immediately.The department also instructed that only officials and personnel essential for security and protocol should accompany VIPs inside temples. Their movement should not obstruct devotees in any manner.In a separate communication, the department directed temples to put arrangements in place to prevent devotees from carrying mobile phones inside temple premises.It noted that devotees had been taking photographs, recording videos, clicking selfies and making Reels inside temples, affecting the sanctity and spiritual atmosphere of the premises.Temples have been asked to install prominent boards informing devotees that mobile phone use is prohibited. Facilities should be created outside temples or near footwear counters to safely deposit mobile phones.A fee of Rs 5 is to be collected for each deposited phone, with receipts issued through the ITMS system. The department directed that the system be fully implemented in all major temples from September 1, 2026.Employees or volunteers should be deployed to receive and safely store the phones and return them to devotees. Temple authorities have also been instructed to deploy personnel to monitor unauthorised photography and videography.Photographs and videos of deities, as well as activities such as making Reels, should not be permitted inside temple premises without authorisation. Media personnel too should not be allowed to take photographs or videos inside temples along with VIPs or important persons without permission.Officials have been directed to strictly implement the instructions.
