Tamil Nadu temples scrap ₹5 phone deposit fee after public backlash

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has withdrawn the ₹5 fee previously charged for depositing mobile phones at two prominent temples in Tamil Nadu. The decision, effective Wednesday, applies to the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai and the Sri Lakshminarasimhar Temple in Sholinghur.

Temple officials confirmed the move came after devotees objected to the charge. "We have withdrawn the order of charging ₹5 for mobile phones at deposit centres," a senior HR&CE official said, adding that fixed timings for deposits have also been introduced.

At Arunachaleswarar Temple, devotees can deposit their phones free of charge daily between 8 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. At the Lakshminarasimhar Temple in Sholinghur, the deposit window closes earlier at 5 p.m.

The department has also carved out exemptions for certain visitors. Persons with disabilities, expectant mothers, and senior citizens may carry mobile phones inside the temple premises in switched-off mode, subject to verification by temple authorities. This provision has been welcomed by devotees, many of whom struggle to retrieve handsets from crowded counters.

Mobile phones have been banned inside these temples since September 1. To facilitate compliance, five deposit centres have been set up at each temple, with staff deployed round-the-clock. CCTV cameras have been installed for surveillance, and local police will assist temple personnel.

Devotees are issued tokens to reclaim their phones. Officials warned that anyone found carrying a phone inside the temple will face fines and confiscation of the device.

The move comes amid steadily rising visitor numbers at both temples, particularly during Chitra Pournami and holiday periods.