AP’s first laddu prasadam ATM launched

Devotees visiting Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada can now purchase laddu prasadam through an automated vending machine, introduced for the first time in the state on a trial basis.

Endowments Commissioner K Ramachandra Mohan inaugurated the ‘Laddu Prasadam ATM’ at the Central Information Centre premises at the entrance of Arjuna Veedhi in the city on Wednesday. Temple Chairman Borra Radhakrishna (Gandhi), Executive Officer VK Seena Naik, members of the Trust Board, officials and staff were present.

The Commissioner said the facility would help devotees obtain laddu prasadam quickly without having to wait in long queues at prasadam counters. The machine enables devotees to make digital payments through UPI and collect the prasadam within seconds, he said.

He said the machine had been introduced as a pilot project and its performance would be assessed before considering similar facilities at other high-footfall locations. The facility was expected to be particularly useful on normal days, he added.

Ramachandra Mohan also cautioned devotees against fake puja tickets and middlemen. He said the temple authorities had lodged a police complaint over a recent fake ticket issue in Vijayawada and action was being taken against those responsible.

He urged devotees to obtain puja and darshan tickets only through official temple channels, authorised counters, websites and digital applications.

Regarding the forthcoming Dasara Sarannavarathri celebrations, he said elaborate arrangements were under way, with priority being given to ordinary devotees. Special attention was being paid to crowd management, queue lines, drinking water, prasadam distribution, security and shelters to protect devotees from heat and rain.

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The Hans India