No more queues: Thirunelli temple gets second e-Kanikka machine
Known as the 'Kashi of the South,' the Thirunelli temple is located on the banks of the holy River Papanashini
Known as the 'Kashi of the South,' the Thirunelli temple is located on the banks of the holy River Papanashini
Known as the 'Kashi of the South,' the Thirunelli temple is located on the banks of the holy River Papanashini
Mananthavady: As more devotees prefer digital transactions, the Sree Maha Vishnu Temple at Thirunelli has set up a second e-Kanikka (electronic offering) machine to receive offerings via UPI. With this, devotees no longer have to queue in front of the old machine to scan and make their digital offerings. Kerala Gramin Bank has installed the new machine to make the process more convenient.
The first e-offering machine, installed by the State Bank of India six months ago, turned out to be a big success—especially among younger devotees—who both dropped offerings in the hundi and used the QR code to make digital payments.
According to temple employee T Santhosh Kumar, thousands of devotees visit the temple during occasions like Karkidaka Vavu. “With only one digital offering machine, it was difficult for devotees to make their offerings on time. By installing a second machine, we hope the process will be more convenient,” he said.
He added that devotees from Karnataka tend to prefer digital offerings more than Keralites. With digital transactions gaining momentum, many devotees now arrive at the temple with less cash, and there have even been instances where people could not make offerings to their satisfaction due to insufficient money in hand.
Known as the 'Kashi of the South,' the Thirunelli temple, located on the banks of the holy River Papanashini, attracts nearly one lakh devotees every year, especially for Karkidaka Vavu rituals. According to Hindu belief, the rituals performed on this day help ensure moksha—release from the cycle of rebirth—for departed souls.
With Wayanad gaining national attention as a tourism destination, the temple also attracts large numbers of visitors and tourists who come to pay obeisance to Lord Maha Vishnu.
The new e-offering machine was inaugurated at a simple function held at the temple premises in the morning. Temple executive officer KV Narayanan, manager PK Premachandran, employee T Santhosh Kumar, Malabar Devaswom Board representative R Bindu, and Kerala Gramin Bank manager Amal Raj were among those present.