**Executive Summary**
This document contains the answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 278, answered on February 2, 2026, regarding photo shoots inside Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) controlled temples. It details the rules and regulations concerning photography and filming at protected monuments. The document also provides data on filming permissions issued by the Chennai and Trichy Circles of ASI since 2014.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Photography Permissions:**
* No VIP references were received regarding photography permissions at protected monuments in Chennai and Trichy Circles.
* Photography with handheld or mobile cameras at protected monuments of national importance does not require permission.
* Photography using tripods, reflectors, artificial light, or flashlights (for paintings like Ajanta, Leh Palace etc.) requires ASI approval, according to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules, 1959.
* **Wedding and Filming Permissions:**
* ASI does not grant permission for wedding ceremonies or associated activities at protected monuments.
* Filming permissions are issued by following necessary procedures.
* Details of filming permissions issued by Chennai Circle since 2014 and Trichy Circle from 2020 onwards are attached as an Annexure.
* **Filming Permissions Data (Annexure):**
* The Annexure provides a table detailing the number of filming permissions issued by the Chennai Circle (since 2014) and Trichy Circle (since its formation in 2020) for each year from 2014 to 2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**ASI Chennai and Trichy Circles**
* **Impact:** Required to adhere to the regulations regarding photography and filming permissions. They must continue to process filming permission requests according to established procedures.
* **Action Required:** Must adhere to the guidelines regarding permissions for photography and filming at protected monuments.
**Individuals/Organizations seeking photography/filming permission:**
* **Impact:** The regulations outline what activities require prior approval from ASI and what is permissible without permission.
* **Action Required:** Must adhere to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules, 1959 to ensure compliance with the regulations concerning photography and filming at protected monuments.
Key Entities Referenced
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): The primary authority granting or denying permissions for photography and filming at protected monuments.
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules, 1959: Legal framework governing permissions related to protected monuments.
Chennai Circle: One of the ASI circles responsible for permissions, specifically mentioned in the context of filming permissions.
Trichy Circle: One of the ASI circles responsible for permissions, specifically mentioned in the context of filming permissions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.278
ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
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)& ASI does not issue any permission at protected monuments for wedding ceremonies and
(c) 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 Number(s) of permissions issued
Chennai Circle 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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