Digitisation in the country is not only having an impact on mortal beings but is now also clutching Gods under its grip. Paytm has today announced that it has partnered with 30 religious institutions across the nation to fashion e-donations. The institutions under this association include widely believed-in religious establishments, such as Siddhivinayak Ganapati temple in Mumbai and God is the Light church in Jalandhar.
This partnership will make it possible to process massive donations via the e-wallet service. Thus after humans, Gods will now also realize the ease of digital payment service. Along with mentioned names, the list further includes Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah and ISKCON temple in Delhi as well as Bajrangbali Mandir in Kanpur.
Currently, India’s spiritual and religious market accounts for annual revenues of around $30 billion. The huge revenue figure credits to massive donations, cash offerings and other superstitious contributions and sacrifices. Paytm stepping foot in such a large market assumes a lucrative opportunity for the digital wallet company.
Speaking on the fresh and religious scope for revenues, Kiran Vasireddy, senior VP at Paytm said,
Over the past few months, many temples have started accepting donations through Paytm,This is a part of the rapid shift in consumer behaviour towards going cashless. We will continue to support this evolution by providing an option to collect cashless donations at temples and other places of worship across the country.
Apart from Paytm, Freecharge is also playing similar cards. The platform partnered with Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in the capital and Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir in Mathura for offering e-donation service. For the temples, e-payments is a cultural initiative which will not only generate some visibility but will also continue to expedite its offerings.
Various temples and religious institutions have their own websites which provide schedules, stream videos, lists devotees and sum up other vital information. Thus, it is not the first time technology is seeping into India’s vast religious space.
