No more photo shoots around Sri Krishna temple in Udupi

UDUPI: Thousands of devotees and tourists visit the famous Sri Krishna Math in Udupi every day. For many, it is customary to take a picture outside the temple after having darshan. However, with couples organising pre- and post-wedding photo shoots near the temple, such activities have now been banned.

The Udupi Sri Krishna Math has a history of over 800 years and draws devotees from near and far. However, of late, couples from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa click romantic pictures near the Kanaka Gopura on Car Street and in front of the eight maths, drawing the ire of seers and devotees, especially women.

The Paryaya Puthige Math seer Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji has now issued instructions to the temple authorities not to allow pre- and post-wedding photo shoots around the temple and to instruct photographers to advise couple not to pose romantically. This follows complaints from devotees to the seer about indecent behaviour of couples.

Gopalacharya, a scholar of the Puthige Math said, “The car street of any temple has a certain religious significance and devotees consider it a place of faith. However, this was being abused by some couples shooting romantic videos right from the morning. This caused embarrassment to the seers and devotees. Such activities should not be allowed near any temple”.