TIRUCHY: People used to UPI mode of payments will have to revert to the cash mode for buying tickets, prasadam, or make donations while visiting major temples from September 1 as carrying mobile phones will be banned. The ban will come into force at five temples in Tiruchy -Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam, Samayapuram Mariamman temple, Jambukeswarar temple in Thiruvanaikoil, Vekkali Amman temple in Woraiyur and Thayumanavar temple in Rockfort.
However, to reduce inconvenience to devotees, the HR&CE department is making arrangements for digital transactions as well by setting up designated centres outside the temples.
In Srirangam, separate online and offline service centres will be established outside the temple. Devotees can use UPI to pay for tickets, prasadam, donations and other services before entering the temple. The centres will also provide printouts of online bookings. However, once inside the temple, all transactions will have to be made in cash.
At Samayapuram, officials said cash was already the main mode of payment, though UPI was accepted in some cases. Devotees who book services online will have to carry printed copies of the tickets. A QR code will also be provided outside the temple for those who wish to make donations through UPI.
At Jambukeswarar and Vekkali Amman temples, centres equipped with POS machines will be set up outside the temples to enable devotees to make digital payments for tickets, donations and other services. Printouts of online tickets will also be available at these centres. At the Rockfort Temple, a QR code would be placed near the mobile phone deposit counter.
“So far, we have been used to making payments through UPI, so a sudden shift to cash could be difficult. It may be particularly challenging for devotees from other states who may be unaware of the new arrangement. Providing UPI facilities outside the temple will be helpful, especially for those who do not carry much cash,” said C Kalai, a devotee visiting Srirangam.
C Uthirapandi, a devotee who visited the Thiruvanaikoil, said, “Henceforth, I will have to remember to carry enough cash before entering the temple. It may take some time for devotees to get used to the change. So creating awareness about the new system in advance will help devotees plan accordingly.”
Meanwhile, work is progressing fast to provide mobile phone deposit facilities in all the five temples.