Chennai: The restriction on carrying mobile phones with cameras into 52 major temples in the state, which came into effect on Tuesday, has drawn mixed responses from devotees. While many welcomed the move to preserve the serenity of temples, others raised concerns over queues at phone deposit counters, the security of storing devices, and the practical difficulties of being without their phones.The HR&CE department said the decision to ban camera-enabled phones followed repeated instances of devotees and visitors taking photographs and recording videos of deities and idols inside temples. While the department has made arrangements for devotees to deposit phones in secure lockers and collect them after darshan, some devotees said the implementation could pose practical difficulties, particularly at crowded temples.On Tuesday, a few devotees argued with temple authorities over the restriction. “Some were angry. We told them that phones without cameras are allowed inside. There will be issues in the initial days, people will adapt soon,” said an HR&CE official.V N Sainath from Avadi, who recently visited temples in Kancheepuram, Triplicane and Mylapore, welcomed the decision, but remained concerned about the security of phones and their handling by temple staff. He cited the system at Sathya Sai Mandir in Puttaparthi, where volunteers handle mobile phones.T Sadagopan, a consumer activist, said, “Mobile phones have become essential for everyday communication and services such as booking vehicles and making online payments. The govt should also introduce online pooja and darshan booking system.”Meanwhile, HR&CE minister C Ramesh said the ₹5 fee being collected for depositing phones is not aimed at revenue generation, but solely to meet the expenses of operating phone-deposit counters securely. “Separate staff have to be appointed to operate the counters across the 52 temples, besides expenditure on security lockers and other infrastructure. The system will eventually be extended to medium-sized and smaller temples. Mobile phones are already prohibited at the Palani, Tiruchendur, Madurai and Rameswaram temples,” he said.To reduce long queues at some mobile phone counters, the temple administrations have been instructed to set up additional counters wherever required. Devotees have been advised to avoid carrying their phones to temples whenever possible.
