The restriction is said to have come into effect on Tuesday. The chief minister C Jospeh Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government has reportedly banned smartphones inside 52 major temples across the state.
HR&CE department minister S Ramesh earlier announced in the Assembly that the smartphone restriction would be implemented in major temples from September 1. S Ramesh said the money would be used to meet expenses associated with running the phone-deposit system, including the appointment of separate personnel at the 52 temples and expenditure on security lockers and other infrastructure, The Hindu reported.
More devotees and visitors were using smartphones to take photos and videos of deities and idols inside temples, according to the HR&CE Department. Some were also taking selfies and shooting short videos and reels for social media, the department said. The HR&CE said these activities affected the spiritual atmosphere of temples and caused inconvenience to other devotees. The minister also said mobile phones were already prohibited at several major temples, including those in Palani, Tiruchendur, Madurai and Rameswaram.
On Tuesday, he said the decision was aimed at ensuring a peaceful and serene atmosphere for devotees, ANI reported.
