Indrakeeladri Shrine Starts Its Push Towards Cashless Services

VIJAYAWADA: In a major digital initiative aimed at improving pilgrim convenience, the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop the Indrakeeladri Hill in Vijayawada is giving top priority to fully cashless services at the famous shrine.

Temple executive officer (EO) V.K. Seena Nayak said devotees would soon be able to digitally access a wide range of services, including darshan and prasadam tickets, through WhatsApp.

On the day, the EO inspected the various facilities and interacted with devotees who had booked tickets through WhatsApp and sought their feedback on the new system.

Under the proposed WhatsApp governance model, devotees can log into the temple’s digital payment platforms and conveniently purchase various tickets directly through their mobile phones either before arriving at the hill shrine or while on the premises. The services include tickets related to darshan, seva, laddu prasadam, and Kalyanakatta (tonsure).

Officials said the move is to reduce the burden of standing in long queues and provide devotees with a smoother and quicker darshan.

Addressing a review meeting on Friday, EO Seena Naik said the temple’s move towards 100 per cent cashless services is in accordance with the state government directives to ensure transparent, faster, and hassle-free services for devotees visiting the shrine of Goddess Kanaka Durga.

Seena Naik asked officials to create awareness among pilgrims regarding the online and WhatsApp-based services by immediately establishing special help desks at Sri Kanaka Durga Nagar and near the “Om” turning point on the ghat road. These help desks will assist devotees in booking digital tickets and understanding online procedures.

The IT department of the shrine has been instructed to ensure high-speed internet connectivity, QR code stands, and necessary computer systems at the help desks.

Those who attended the meeting included executive engineer L. Ramadevi, counter superintendents, and IT staff.