Online Services to Ease Darshan for Devotees at Annavaram Temple

Annavaram:In order to provide hassle-free services to devotees visiting the Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple in Annavaram, the temple authorities have prioritized online services. Devotees who book tickets online will be allowed darshan through special queue lines, reducing the waiting time significantly.

Online facilities have been expanded to include darshan tickets, accommodation, vrathams, other sevas and prasadam tickets. Devotees can book these services through the website aptemples.org or via Mana Mitra WhatsApp number 95523 00009, officials said.

Payments for services, including donations to Nitya Annadanam and Go Samrakshana (cow protection) programmes, can be made using credit and debit cards, Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm and other UPI platforms.

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It has been alleged that in the past, brokers cornered accommodation rooms through various means and sold them to devotees at exorbitant prices, creating difficulties especially for pilgrims coming from distant places. In order to put an end to such practices, worshipers will now be able to book rooms online from their homes.

Around 70 percent of the total accommodation at the temple (about 336 rooms) has been made available for online booking. A maximum of two rooms can be booked per Aadhaar card and mobile number and reservations can be made up to 12 hours in advance.

Digital Payments

As part of efforts to promote digital transactions, targets have been set for temples across the state and major temples have been ranked periodically to encourage better performance. Annavaram temple authorities are also creating awareness about digital payments among devotees.

Online counters have been installed at various parts of the temple premises and extensive promotions are being done to encourage the use of digital payment modes.