Madras High Court orders non-Hindus to affirm reverence before entering Tamil Nadu temples

The Madras High Court issued a directive stipulating that individuals who are not Hindus must affirm their reverence for the deity before being permitted to enter any temple in Tamil Nadu. The order seeks to ensure that all entrants show respect for the sanctity of the shrines, irrespective of their personal faith. The ruling applies uniformly to all public temples across the state, affecting both local worshippers and visitors from other religions. Legal observers note that the judgment interprets existing temple entry regulations in the context of preserving religious sentiment. The court’s decision is expected to shape how non‑Hindu tourists and devotees approach temple visits in the region.