New temple guidelines curtail VIP privileges: No filming, advance notice must
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has issued a new circular outlining protocols for visits by famous personalities, including film celebrities, to temples across the state. The directive, signed by Commissioner T.G. Vinay, seeks to balance the convenience of dignitaries with the sanctity of worship and the convenience of ordinary devotees.
One of the most prominent instructions in the circular is a blanket ban on photography and videography inside temple premises. This move comes in the wake of several recent instances where videos and reels featuring VIPs were recorded within temples, which the department believes undermines the sacred atmosphere. “In recent days, a few incidents wherein videos and reels of VIPs have been taken inside temple premises have occurred. The department wants to keep such instances in check,” an official source explained.
The circular also mandates that temples inform the Commissioner’s office in advance if they receive notice of a VIP visit. It further states that the entry and exit of such individuals must be regulated in a manner that does not disrupt the darshan of other devotees. “Their entry/exit should be regulated in such a manner that the darshan of other devotees should not be affected,” the circular said.
Emphasising the need to preserve temple traditions, the department instructed that the sanctity of the premises should not be disturbed during such visits. Only official security personnel accompanying the VIPs will be allowed inside the temples. This restriction is intended to minimise the entourage that typically accompanies celebrities.
The guidelines have sparked a broader conversation among temple-goers and activists about crowd management and access to shrines. Many devotees argue that the focus should be on managing the increasing crowds on regular days, particularly Tuesdays and Fridays, rather than solely on regulating VIP visits. Venkatesh, a regular temple visitor, recounted his experiences at popular shrines like Sri Bhavani at Periyapalayam and the Murugan temple at Siruvapuri. “There have been times when I tried entering these places of worship but could not get in due to the crowds. Regular worshippers somehow seem to know priests or staff at such popular shrines and gain entry,” he noted.
Activist T. Sadagopan offered a more systemic solution, pointing to the example of Thiruchendur, where the nexus between priests and temple workers has been broken. He suggested that similar measures be adopted elsewhere. “The staff must be posted on a rotational basis. Special darshans should not be permitted during festivals or special occasions,” he said. He also referenced a recommendation made by the Tiruvallur District Collector, who had requested pregnant women, young mothers, and the elderly to avoid visiting the temple during the Aadi Krithikai festival due to massive crowds.
The Tamil Nadu Thirukoil Thozhilalargal Union has also submitted a representation to the government, asking that temple staff, including archakas, gurukkal, and poosaris, be allowed entry into other temples upon production of their official identity cards. This request aims to streamline access for temple employees who may need to visit other shrines for personal or professional reasons.
The HR&CE department’s circular is part of a broader effort to modernise temple administration while preserving religious traditions. By restricting photography and regulating VIP movement, the department hopes to address growing concerns about the commercialisation of sacred spaces and the inconvenience caused to ordinary devotees. Whether these measures will be effectively implemented remains to be seen, but they represent a significant step toward ensuring that all worshippers, regardless of their status, are treated with equal respect.
