Two men from A.P. held for taking photographs inside Arunachaleswarar temple

Two devotees from Andhra Pradesh were held for reportedly taking photographs of the sanctum sanctorum inside Arunachaleswarar temple on Saturday, using micro camera-fitted spectacles.

Temple officials said that the incident was the second one in less than a month after two youths from Telangana were held on August 8 for reportedly taking photographs inside the temple, also using a micro camera fitted spectacle.

The police said the identified persons were S. Akil Kumar, 23, and R. Venkata Reddy, 25.

The police said that the duo were waiting in the queue to offer prayers at the temple when light flashed from Kumar’s spectacles. Immediately, other devotees saw the flash and alerted temple staff, who in turn, informed senior officials of the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department.

The police said signages were installed to warn devotees against taking photographs and videos inside the temple. A case was registered by Tiruvannamalai Town police. Later, they were released on conditional bail. A probe is under way.