Temple near Udupi 1st to sign up for Paytm

The Gurunarasimha temple at Saligrama near Udupi has switched to cashless donations from devotees, through e-wallet Paytm. The move is, perhaps, a first-of-its-kind initiative in a temple in the state.

Ananthapadmanabha Aithal, president of the temple Trust, told DH that the temple had introduced a swiping machine two months ago to help devotees donate, much before the demonetisation. It has now gone a step further with Paytm. The system was introduced in the temple on Thursday and devotees started using the application on Friday. The temple’s move has been welcomed by the devotees.

The administration has opened a Paytm account in the name of the temple and has linked it to the temple’s savings account in the bank. Aithal said people were finding the new method easier than paying through debit/credit cards. He said devotees could download the Paytm app and pay with Paytm Wallet.

Aithal said it may be necessary to educate some devotees about the application. A computer operator is helping devotees who find it difficult to use the application. Devotees will get a message confirming the receipt of the money on their mobile phones, Aithal said.

The temple is a pilgrimage centre for devotees belonging to all castes, especially Kota Brahmins. Using Paytm eliminates the possibility of fake and soiled notes being deposited in the temple hundi, Aithal said.

DH News Service