Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Jun 17: The digital offertory method is being encouraged in temples of Karnataka. Temples in the state will soon ask devotees to donate money through the digital mode.

Bettada temple of Laxmi Narasimha Swamy in Tumakuru has introduced offerings in its campus through scanning of QR code. Temples will also allow devotees to use their phones in the campus of the holy place. Otherwise mostly all temples of the state ask devotees to switch off their mobile phones.

QR code is displayed in various places of Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Tumakuru. Earlier devotees used to drop coins and currency notes in offertory boxes inside the temple premises. Now they are using QR codes to donate money.

Kollur Mookambika temple of Udupi is also another temple which has started E-hundi on an experimental basis. This is one of the highest revenue generating temples along with Kukke Subramanya and Male Mahadeshwara temples in Dakshina Kannada and Chamarajanagar districts respectively.

The Muzrai department has entered into an agreement with SBI. It opens specific accounts of temples and gives QR codes. Rohini Sindhuri, commissioner of Muzrai department said that in most of the transactions QR code scanning is used and the same will be installed in temples also.

Muzrai minister Shashikala Jolle said, ”we have activated the comprehensive maintenance system of the temple. Devotees can pay donations to meals served at temples or for any specific poojas on online mode. This increases the transparency and prevents any leakage of revenue.”

After coronavirus, many devotees were hesitating to touch the offertory boxes at temples as they were made of metal. Officials say that E-hundis will be preferred by devotees as they are safer. However, temples that are located on hills and far off places may face network issues.