The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department has issued guidelines for the visit of famous personalities, including those from the film industry to temples.

One of the major instructions issued as part of the circular signed by Commissioner T.G. Vinay is that photographs and videos should not be allowed to be taken inside temples. “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” explained an official source.

If the temple gets advance notice of the visit of such persons, the administration should inform the Commissioner’s office. “Their entry/exit should be regulated in such a manner that the darshan of other devotees should not be affected,” the circular said.

The sanctity and traditions of the temple should not be disturbed during such visits, the circular stated. It also went on to say that only official security personnel travelling with these important people can be allowed inside the temples.

Many think that with an increase in population and more devotees, crowd management during days like Tuesdays and Fridays must be given priority rather than VIP visits alone. Venkatesh, who visits temples regularly, said that there have been times when he has tried entering temples like those of Sri Bhavani at Periyapalayam or the Murugan temple at Siruvapuri but could not enter these places of worship due to the crowds. “Regular worshippers somehow seem to know priests or staff at such popular shrines and gain entry,” he pointed out.

Activist T. Sadagopan said that, as in Thiruchendur, where the nexus between priests and temple workers has been broken, steps to do so must be taken in other places too. “The staff must be posted on a rotational basis. Special darshans should not be permitted during festivals or special occasions. The Tiruvallur District Collector had requested pregnant women, young mothers and the elderly to not visit the temple during the Aadi Krithikai festival,” he explained.

The Tamil Nadu Thirukoil Thozhilalargal Union had also recently represented to the government that temple staff, including archakas, gurukkal and poosaris should be allowed into other temples on production of their ID cards.

Published - August 08, 2026 10:12 pm IST