Chennai: The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has issued fresh restrictions stating that no permission should be granted for photography or video recording inside temple premises during visits by film personalities and other VIPs.
HR&CE Commissioner Vinay, in a circular, directed that the practice be implemented immediately across all temples. If a celebrity or prominent person is expected to visit, temple officials must inform the Commissioner’s office at least a day in advance—or as soon as the visit becomes known—sharing details such as the temple, time of arrival and the number of accompanying persons.
The circular also instructs that the entry and movement of such visitors be regulated so that devotees’ darshan is not affected. It emphasises that the sanctity of the temple and traditional discipline should not be compromised under any circumstances.
Only those who have prior approval, or staff required for security and administrative reasons, should be allowed to accompany the VIPs, the circular said. All executive officers and concerned officials have been asked to follow the instructions strictly without exceptions.
The report also notes expectations that similar curbs should be applied to political figures and police personnel, citing instances where large entourages enter temples without waiting in queues or obtaining tickets.
