Following a Public Interest Litigation that cited safety issues, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had in February this year directed the prohibition of carrying and using cell phones inside the Meenakshi Amman temple, in Madurai. The ban, a first of its kind in temples in Tamil Nadu, comes at a time when the use of mobile phones inside the temple is increasing.
In June 2016, this supplement featured a story (https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/The-hands-that-go-up/article14397112.ece) on how the use of smart phones with cameras was causing a disturbance a disturbance to to worship inside the temple.
The implementation of the ban at the Meenakshi temple — though the primary purpose was from a safety and security point of view — has brought about a transformation in the ambience.
Over the past few years, since the proliferation of camera phones, it has become a common practice across temples for devotees to take photographs inside the campus including Deepaaradhanai. And within minutes such images are shared via social media. Holding up the cell phone to click exclusive shots blocks the views of other devotees, whose protests are brushed aside. Besides devotees talk on their mobile in the prakaram. Madurai Meenakshi temple was no exception.
Odhuvar Somasundaram, who has been singing Thevaram verses for the past seven years at the Meenkashi Amman temple, has this to say: “‘Selfies’ near the temple tank and the kodimaram have become too common. Smart phones and gadgets have definitely marred the ambience. People yelling ‘hello’ over the cellphone had sadly become part of this temple’s atmosphere and some of us could only helplessly watch. Needless to say ring tones can shatter the serene mood.”
K. Balakumar, former editor of an evening daily, who spent his younger days in Madurai in the 1970s and 80s recalls the pristine atmosphere, which prevailed in those days. “In those days, with no mobile or technological intrusions, people stayed focused. It is sad that some devotees don’t have the etiquette to observe silence and not cause disturbance to other worshippers,” he said. He makes sure that his mobile is on silent mode as he enters the temple.
New system in place
With the imposition of the ban, people entering the Meenakshi Amman temple have to deposit their phones in the vault provided at the counter outside. There are a total of 10,000 such vaults at different entry points to the temple. A self-help group has been assigned the task of servicing this new process.
Joint Commissioner N. Natarajan, who has been at the temple for the past four years, welcomes the ban. It is in keeping with the UNESCO heritage status accorded to the temple, he feels.
According to him, a foolproof system is in place and working well. “Initially there was a sense of fear as a lot of these are high-end, expensive phones. Now it has settled down. The devotees are happy and comfortable with this process. We are charging a sum of ₹10 for each phone deposit.”
“I’m already getting queries from my counterparts in other temples,” he adds. “In the past few years, devotees had started taking photographs of the aradhana in their cell phones. Previously, there was an urge to check the phone every few minutes. Now, there is no distraction. For the first time in many years, I see a special bond between parents and their children with the doing away of the phone, which is a good sign.” One did see parents explaining the significance of the murals and sculptures to their wards without constantly checking their phones.
Odhuvar Somasundaram is happy about the ban, which did not look likely at the beginning of the year. “The ban has dramatically changed the way the devotees offer their worship as the mobiles have ceased to ring so also the ‘Selfie’ moments. It is a change towards the positive as we see more devotees listening to our presentation (over the mike) within the temple complex. The ban is definitely a blessing in disguise for the devotees of the temple and for us, the Odhuvars.”
Devotee R. Shiv Kumar, who has been a frequent visitor to Thevaram sthalams across the state, says, “With this ban, one gets prepared to be without a phone, at least for a few hours. And for many, their ‘life’ is pledged outside till they come.”
Temple activist and president of the Temple Worshippers Society, T.R. Ramesh, questions the rationale in the perception of mobile phones being a security threat and is unhappy with the ban. He says, “The temple should have ensured swift and definite penalties for the use of mobiles inside the inner prakaras and enforced prevention of misuse of mobile phones inside temples instead of a total ban.”
However, Balakumar is of the view that the ban should be implemented strictly. “It is a ban that was much needed. If the authorities stick to the rules, it will certainly pave the way for a hassle-free darshan. And a certain amount of sanctity, needed in matters of tradition and culture, will be, hopefully, ushered in.”
The successful implementation in a temple like the Meenakshi Amman temple will set a precedence for possible replication in other crowded temples across the state. If the feedback in the last few months at this temple is anything to go by, then implementation of and extending the ban to other temples could lead to restoration of peaceful darshan in temples across the state.