Chennai: Allegations of fraud in the name of special darshan at major Tamil Nadu temples have prompted the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to accelerate plans for an online ticketing system. The move follows incidents linked to the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur and the Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, where devotees were allegedly targeted by unauthorized intermediaries.
Devotees Allegedly Duped In Special Darshan Attempt
The latest case was reported from the Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai, where an individual allegedly tried to collect money from devotees from Andhra Pradesh by promising special darshan arrangements. Reports suggest the accused collected around ₹1,000 per person for expedited entry but failed to provide the promised access.
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Temple authorities intervened after receiving information about the unauthorized collection of money. The suspect was questioned, and preliminary inquiry along with CCTV footage helped identify him. However, he managed to flee before being detained. A police complaint has been filed, and efforts are underway to trace him.
HR&CE Pushes Digital Monitoring
Following the incident, the HR&CE Department said rising crowd pressure at major temples and the role of middlemen have made technology-driven reforms necessary. Officials noted that heavy footfall during weekends and festivals often creates congestion, which is exploited by touts collecting money illegally from devotees.
The issue comes after similar concerns over special darshan-related irregularities surfaced at the Tiruchendur temple. These incidents have intensified public debate over temple administration and pushed the state government to speed up digital governance measures across major religious institutions.
Online Booking System Planned Across Temples
Authorities are considering a statewide online advance booking system for major temples. Under the proposed system, devotees would book darshan slots through official platforms, helping regulate entry and reduce the role of unauthorized intermediaries.
Officials believe the system will improve crowd management, curb fraudulent agents and offer devotees a more transparent darshan process. The proposed reforms may include QR-based entry verification, time-slot-based darshan allocation and real-time visitor tracking.
The HR&CE Department plans to roll out the system in phases across key temples in Tamil Nadu. Enhanced CCTV surveillance, online grievance redressal and real-time crowd monitoring are also being strengthened as part of the wider reform effort. Authorities have urged devotees to rely only on official sources for darshan-related information and bookings, warning that strict action will be taken against those involved in fraudulent activities.
