HR&CE provides free mobile phone storage at Arunachaleswarar and Sri Lakshminarasimhar Temples

Five cell phone storage centers have been set up at each of the Arunachaleswarar and Sri Lakshminarasimhar temples. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The Department of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) on Wednesday allowed devotees to deposit their mobile phones at designated mobile phone storage centers at Arunachaleswarar Temple and Sri Lakshminarasimhar Temple in Tiruvannamalai and Sholinghur on Wednesday.

Temple officials said the action comes after public backlash against charging ₹5 for each mobile phone kept in these temples. “We have withdrawn the order to charge ₹5 for mobile phones at deposit centres. A fixed time for depositing mobile phones has also been decided,” a senior HR&CE official told The Hindu.

Accordingly, devotees can deposit their mobile phones between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM at the centers at Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai on all days. At Lakshminarasimhar Temple in Sholinghur, phones can be stored only till 5:00 PM

Persons with disabilities, expectant mothers and senior citizens can carry mobile phones in switched off mode to these temples after verification by the temple authorities. “Allowing senior citizens to carry mobile phones inside the temple is a welcome measure as it is difficult for them to pick up the handsets at the counters due to the huge crowd,” said K. Parasuraman, a devotee.

Mobile phones have been banned in these temples since September 1. Five cell phone storage centers have been set up in each of the two temples.

Temple staff were deployed to collect phones at these centres. They will monitor the centers 24 hours a day. CCTV cameras will also be set up for better surveillance. Local police will also be deployed to assist the temple staff.

Tokens were issued for devotees to get their mobile phones back. Temple officials said devotees found taking mobile phones inside the temple would be fined. Mobile phones will also be confiscated.

Temple officials said the crowd of visitors during Chitra Pournami and festivals has been steadily increasing for the past few years.

Published – 10 Sep 2026 05:30 IST