Lifestyle: Is it really wrong to carry a mobile phone to a temple?

Digital Devotion: To maintain religious sanctity, mobile phones have been banned in some temples, while there is no ban on mobile phones in others. But is it wrong to take a phone to a temple?

Temple is a sacred place where people of Hindu religion worship, pray, perform rituals, meditate and visit temples etc. Temple is considered to be the abode of the divine and the center of spiritual energy. To maintain sanctity, purity and peace in the temple, many things are prohibited from being taken inside the temple.

 

If we talk about mobile phones, then in this digital age, mobile phones have become an integral part of everyone's life. But if we talk about religious places and especially temples, then many questions arise in the mind about purity and sanctity, whether it is right to take a phone inside the temple. Is it inauspicious or inappropriate to take a phone inside the temple? Let us know from religious and classical point of view whether taking a phone inside the temple is right or wrong.

 

 

From a religious point of view, a temple is considered to be the place of God. Therefore, meditation, devotion and concentration are required here, whereas using a phone disturbs concentration. If a phone is kept nearby, your eyes will keep on looking at the phone again and again, which will create hindrance in worship or meditation.

 

If we talk about the scriptures, the rules and regulations of the scriptures were made centuries ago when you, I and mobile phones did not even exist. Therefore, it is not possible to find any mention of mobile phones in the ancient scriptures. However, in some verses, such practical rules are mentioned-

“Cleanliness of mind, restraint, devotion, pure clothes, inclusion of

clothes, worship of gods, religion, eternal.”

That is, mental concentration, purity and discipline are essential in worshipping God. This makes it clear that while worshipping God, one should not do any such work or keep any object near oneself, which can disturb concentration and purity.

The sound of ring tones, notifications etc. in the mobile can pollute the religious atmosphere. Its sound not only distracts you but also the attention of other devotees present in the temple. That is why many religious leaders believe that religious activities are affected by mobile phones.

what is the solution

Whether it is right or wrong to take a mobile phone to a temple, its religious and scriptural aspects may be different. But it cannot be denied that in modern times or in the digital age, the way of worship is also changing. There is even a system of online darshan and worship of God. Although carrying a phone is prohibited in some temples, it is not prohibited in some temples. Devotees carry mobile phones and make their spiritual and religious journey memorable through photos and videos.

 

Also, nowadays, many temples have a system of digital donation or contribution. Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that technology has made devotion simple, accessible and widespread. But questions always arise about the purity and traditionality of worship when mobiles are taken to the temple. In such a situation, what is the solution, how can we maintain purity and sanctity during temple darshan or worship in the digital age of devotion?  

can do this work

• If you carry a mobile phone to a religious place or temple, then ensure that the mobile phone is on silent mode or switched off.
• Do not take out your phone repeatedly to check messages or notifications during darshan, meditation, chanting of mantras or worship in the temple.
• Many temples have mobile counters for depositing phones, you can deposit your phone there.
• There is no restriction on carrying phones in some temples, while phones are prohibited in others. In such a case, you should follow the policies of the temple administration.
• If you are donating to a temple using QR code, then use your mobile phone only for donation or cooperation. But keep in mind that this should not affect your worship.

In which temples mobile phones are prohibited

There are many temples across the country where carrying mobile phones is completely prohibited. Such as Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, Akshardham Temple of Delhi, Mahakal Temple of Ujjain, Ayodhya Ram Temple etc. Let us tell you that there are more than 35 thousand temples in Karnataka where carrying mobile phones is prohibited.

FAQs

Q: Is it a sin to carry a mobile phone to a temple ?

A : No, it is not a sin to take a mobile phone to a temple. But it causes hindrance in the worship.

Q: Can we take our mobile phone on silent mode inside the temple?

A : Yes, if mobile is not prohibited in the temple then you can take it on silent or switched off mode.

Q: What should not be taken to the temple?

A : Leather items, sharp objects and electronic devices etc. should not be carried inside the temple.