Chennai Temple Devotees Struggle With Cash-Only Mobile Deposit Centres
The absence of UPI payment options at phone deposit counters is causing delays and friction for visitors at major Chennai shrines.
Devotees visiting major temples in Chennai are facing significant operational hurdles at mobile phone deposit centres. The lack of digital payment facilities is creating unnecessary friction for visitors attempting to comply with temple regulations.
According to reports from DT Next, visitors to prominent shrines—including Vadapalani Andavar, Parthasarathy Swamy, and Kapaleeswarar—are struggling with the absence of GPay and PhonePe options at deposit counters. These centres, which began functioning on September 1, require a nominal fee of Rs 5 to secure mobile devices. Because these service points do not accept digital payments, devotees are forced to rely on cash, frequently leading to disputes over small change and increased wait times in queues.
The Tradition of Digital Detox
Many temples across India mandate that devotees deposit their mobile phones before entering the sanctum. This practice is intended to maintain the sanctity of the prayer area and prevent distractions during worship. These deposit services are typically managed by temple trusts or third-party vendors who charge a small fee to provide a secure location for devices while the visitor is inside the temple complex.
A Gap in Modernization
The insistence on cash-only transactions at high-traffic public sites highlights a persistent gap in the modernization of temple administration. As India aggressively transitions toward a cashless economy powered by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the reliance on physical currency for small transactions has become increasingly uncommon. For many modern visitors, carrying small denominations of cash is no longer a habit, making a Rs 5 cash requirement a surprising barrier to entry.
Future Outlook
The current situation underscores the need for temple administrations to integrate digital payment infrastructure into all visitor-facing services. While the fees are nominal, the cumulative effect of cash-only requirements at major landmarks creates avoidable congestion. Observers are now watching to see if temple trusts will update their vendor agreements to include UPI QR codes, bringing these traditional spaces in line with the broader national shift toward digital finance.