Madurai's Meenakshi Amman temple to ban use of cell phones from March 3

The ban on devotees carrying mobile phones inside the famous Goddess Meenakshi Amman temple here will come into effect from March 3, officials said.

A release from the temple administration said the ban was being enforced in line with the recent order of the Madras High Court's Madurai Bench and in the interest of the security of the ancient shrine.

A bench of Justices N Kirubakaran and R Tharani had on February 9 banned people other than security officials from carrying mobile phones to the temple where a fire mishap gutted several shops recently.

It had also suggested deployment of CISF personnel to maintain security at the temple.

The order was issued on a PIL seeking to direct the central and state governments to frame guidelines and safety and security code and implement these immediately in the backdrop of the fire mishap.