The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Friday directed the Commissioner of Hindu Religious & Charities Endowments Department to prohibit the use of mobile phones inside the temple premises to maintain the purity and sanctity of temples in Tamil Nadu.

The court issued the order after hearing a public interest case filed by one Seetharaman, seeking a ban on the use of cell phones inside the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple in the state's Tiruchendur.