Now make offerings at Sabarimala temple through swipe machines

As people go cash-strapped in the wake of demonetisation, the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, where lakhs of devotees converge during the pilgrimage season which began on November 16, has introduced 'e-hundi' for electronic transfer of offerings.

Lakhs of devotees from across the country worship at the temple during the three-month-long Mandalam Makaravilakku festival, for which the hill shrine was opened on November 15.

Ajay Tharayil, member of the Travancore Devaswom Board that manages the temple, said there would be no limit for offerings with debit cards. With a credit card, a devotee can offer even Rs one, he said. The new system would benefit lakhs of devotees coming from other parts of the country, he said, adding, it would be installed at other points as well in due course. Alappuzha Sub Collector E Chandrasekhar inaugurated the swipe machine at a function on Thursday.