Lok Sabha Question No. 278 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Photo Shoot inside ASI controlled Temples
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

## PHOTO SHOOT INSIDE ASI CONTROLLED TEMPLES

## 278. SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the numbers of VIP references or recommendations received through call to Trichy and Chennai Circle of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) seeking permission to take     photo shoot inside ASI controlled temples;
- (b) the  details  of  the  number  of  permissions  granted  by  ASI  in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu  for wedding or any kind of photo shoot inside the temple premises since 2014; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  rule  and  regulations  which  allow  wedding  or  any  kind  of  photo  shoot inside the temple premises

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) No VIP references are received with regard to permissions of photography at the protected monuments  situated  within  the  jurisdictions  of  Chennai  and  Trichy  Circles.  Further, photography  with  handheld  or  mobile  cameras  at  the  protected  monument  of  national importance  requires  no  permission.  However,  photography  with  associative  equipment's like tripods, reflectors, artificial light and use of flashlights (in respect of paintings such as Ajanta, Leh Palace etc.) requires approval of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules, 1959.
- (b)& (c) ASI does not  issue  any  permission  at  protected  monuments  for  wedding  ceremonies  and associated  activities.  However,  various  filming  permissions  are  issued  by  following necessary procedures. The details of the filming permissions issued by Chennai Circle since 2014 and Trichy Circle from 2020 onwards (since its formation) are attached as Annexure.

ANNEXURE ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)&(c)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 278 FOR 02.02.2026 DETAILS OF FILMIMG PERMISSIONS ISSUED BY CHENNAI CIRCLE AND TRICHY

CIRCLE SINCE 2014

| Year(s)    |   Number(s) of permissions issued by Chennai Circle | Number(s) of permissions issued by Trichy Circle (since its formation)   |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Since 2014 |                                                  17 | --                                                                       |
| 2015       |                                                  25 | --                                                                       |
| 2016       |                                                  23 | --                                                                       |
| 2017       |                                                  17 | --                                                                       |
| 2018       |                                                  16 | --                                                                       |
| 2019       |                                                  09 | --                                                                       |
| 2020       |                                                  03 | --                                                                       |
| 2021       |                                                  19 | 03                                                                       |
| 2022       |                                                  12 | 05                                                                       |
| 2023       |                                                  13 | 05                                                                       |
| 2024       |                                                  08 | 01                                                                       |
| 2025       |                                                  13 | 02                                                                       |

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