New Delhi: Mahakal temple administration has banned use of mobile phones inside the temple premises during the Bhasmarti ritual in Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. The decision comes amid controversy over social media reel making by influencers who violates the sanctity of the sacred place.
The mobile phones of the devotees will be kept at the entry gate during checking. There have been concerns over making of objectionable reels by social media influencers in the temple. The issue has also sparked outrage among the devotees.
Objectionable reels from temple go viral
Several reels have gone viral with people making reels inside temples on objectionable songs violating the sanctity of the place. Earlier, the Mahakal temple authorities has appealed to devotees to desist from making objectionable reels and videos but there was no effect of the advisory.
Now, the temple administration has issued a directive to completely ban use of mobile phones during Bhasmarti starting from January 23, 2025. Authorities said nobody will be allowed to enter the temple premises with phones.
Phone submission with guards
Baba Mahakal Bhasmarti starts from 4 am at the temple. Earlier, security guards at the temple tried to appeal to people to stop making videos and reel, but the request fell on deaf ears. The devotees will not be allowed inside the temple only after through checking.
The phones will have to be submitted with the guards or the temple committee and only after that people would be able to attend the Bhasmarti.
Problems in ‘no phone rule’
However, the decision has been taken keeping in view the sanctity of the temple, but there are concerns that devotees from other states may face the problems. These devotees get their Bhasmarti permission checked on phones itself. Meanwhile, there are discussion in temple committee that priests may also be banned from carrying phones inside the temple.
