KOCHI: The new e-hundi at Sabarimala Sannidhanam had a slow start on Thursday with Rs 6,067 being offered by devotees. The facility permits devotees to deposit their money offerings through debit and credit cards using the swipe machine installed by Dhanalakshmi Bank. Travancore Devaswom Board member Ajay Tharayil said that the facility was introduced to help devotees make offerings in view of the difficulties faced by the pilgrims including those from outside the state due to demonitisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
The facility was introduced on the left side of the Sopanam. There is no limit for the money that can be paid using debit card. A minimum of Rs 10 can be paid by it while Rs 1 can be given using credit card. Cards of all banks can be used here. A slip given to the devotee after swiping has to be deposited in the hundi. The e-hundi will function only when the sanctum sanctorum remains open. The authorities informed that more e-hundis will be opened as the system gets more popular.
Meanwhile, the daily offerings at Sannidhanam has gone up by Rs 3 crore in the first eight days compared to the same period last year, said TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan after opening the facebook, Twitter and Youtube accounts at the Sannidhanam. Last year the income was Rs 19.95 crore which increased to Rs 22.66 crore. Aravana sales revenue increased from Rs 6.5 crore to Rs 8.3 while hundi collection increased from Rs 7.2 crore to Rs 8.3 crore. Appam sales increased from Rs 1.46 cr to Rs 1.79 crore.
