Travancore Devaswom Board to Reinstate Digital Payment System ‘E-Kaanikka’ in Temples
Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to reinstate the digital payment facility known as ‘E-Kaanikka’ in its temples, which had been discontinued earlier.
The system was previously suspended after it was found that several temples were not accurately recording the income generated through digital payments. As a result, the digital payment facility operated through South Indian Bank was completely withdrawn.
Due to these lapses, income from offerings made through ‘E-Kaanikka’ was not reflected in the official accounts of the respective temples, creating obstacles in evaluating their revenue and in the grading of temples.
During the previous Mandala–Makaravilakku festival season, the bank had introduced a digital payment option at the Appam and Aravana counters at Sabarimala. Information kiosks were also set up at Cochin International Airport on behalf of the Devaswom Board.
 |
| In 2023, the Travancore Devaswom Board, in collaboration with South Indian Bank, officially relaunched the E‑Kaanikka digital donation system at Sabarimala. Static QR code standees were installed at key spots such as the Appam and Aravana prasadam counters and around Sannidhanam |
To ensure financial transparency, the bank had provided an online dashboard system for viewing income details and generating income-expense statements. The payment system could also be accessed by the Board headquarters, sub-groups, and individual temples.
In light of these service initiatives, and following a formal communication from the bank, the Travancore Devaswom Board has now decided to resume the E-Kaanikka facility. All income details from the system will be scrutinized by the Devaswom Accounts Officer.