Karnataka religious endowment dept bans mobile phone use on temple premises

Bengaluru: In a bid to ensure an undistracted and serene environment for meditation and worship, the Karnataka Department of Religious Endowments issued an order on Monday banning the use of mobile phones by devotees within the premises of temples under its purview.

According to reports, the ever-rising number of mobile phones used by devotees visiting temple premises had become a matter of concern for both the temple staff and fellow worshippers. There were complaints that the constant buzzing, ringing, and distraction caused by mobile phones disrupted the sacred ambiance, making it difficult for people to immerse themselves in prayer and meditation.

In response to these issues, the Religious Endowment Department has taken the initiative to implement new guidelines, urging all visitors to temples to turn off their mobile phones during the time of darshan, the act of seeking a glimpse of the divine deity.

To ensure that the message reaches all visitors, the Commissioner of Religious Endowment Department has been instructed to place notices on the notice boards of all temples under their purview.