{
  "id": 794357,
  "title": "Mobile phones banned on Kanaka Durga temple premises in Vijayawada",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/mobile-phones-banned-on-kanaka-durga-temple-premises-in-vijayawada",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T18:31:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/mobile-phones-banned-on-kanaka-durga-temple-premises-in-vijayawada/article71341445.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam temple in Vijayawada has implemented a complete ban on mobile phones within its premises, according to a release by Temple Executive Officer Seena Naik. This security measure is part of a broader initiative to enhance safety and streamline the darshan process for devotees. The temple has installed a new security gate at the main scanning point, where home guards and security personnel will intensify checks to ensure no mobile phones are brought beyond this point. Devotees are required to deposit their mobile phones at designated counters before entering the darshan queue. Temple authorities have appealed to devotees to plan for additional time and cooperate with security personnel. To manage the crowd more efficiently, several service counters have been relocated, including those for issuing darshan tickets and distributing free laddu prasadam, to facilitate a smoother flow of devotees towards the darshan area. The temple administration has urged devotees to adhere to the new instructions to ensure a peaceful and hassle-free darshan experience.",
  "summary": "New security gate has been installed at the main scanning point to screen devotees entering the temple",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}