Giving is woven through the daily life of Hindu temples and Sikh gurdwaras, from the offering left at the shrine to the support that keeps the langar hall running and the building maintained. Traditionally that giving has been in cash, dropped into a hundi or a collection box. As more worshippers and visitors carry cards rather than coins, a contactless donation point offers a respectful way to complement those long-standing customs, so that seva and dana are never limited by what someone happens to have with them. This guide looks at how mandirs and gurdwaras can introduce contactless giving with care.
Complementing the hundi, not replacing it
It is worth being clear at the outset that a contactless device is an addition, not a replacement. The hundi and the offering box remain central, and many worshippers will always prefer to give in the traditional way. A contactless point simply gives those who no longer carry cash a way to take part, and it tends to come into its own with visitors, at festivals, and for specific appeals. Placed thoughtfully and explained gently, it sits alongside existing practice rather than disturbing it.
Festivals and the moments that draw a crowd
The temple and gurdwara calendar is full of occasions that bring large numbers through the doors. Diwali and Navratri at the mandir, Vaisakhi and Gurpurab at the gurdwara, weddings, akhand paaths and community days all see footfall rise sharply, and with it both the opportunity and the wish to give. A donation point lets a committee or sangat present a clear appeal during these times, whether that is towards the building fund, the langar, education classes or a charitable cause the community is supporting that season. Appeals can be updated remotely, so the message on the screen can follow the festival calendar without anyone needing to reprogram the device.
Choosing a respectful device and placement
Placement matters in a place of worship, and the aim is a device that is easy to find without being intrusive. A CharityStand works well in a foyer or langar hall where people gather, while a CharityWall can sit discreetly near an exit or notice board. For festival stalls and community events, the portable CharityTab can be carried to where people are. Our guide to choosing the right form factor helps you match the device to your spaces, and the comparison chart shows the options side by side.
Gift Aid on eligible gifts
Where the temple or gurdwara is a registered charity, eligible donations from UK taxpayers can attract Gift Aid, adding twenty-five pence to every pound at no extra cost to the donor. A contactless flow can prompt willing givers to add the details needed for a declaration. Because the rules and the wording matter, it is worth reading our Gift Aid guide and confirming your own arrangements first. HMRC sets out the current position on claiming Gift Aid.
Simple to run for a committee
Temples and gurdwaras are run by committees and volunteers, so the technology has to be undemanding. DonorDynamics provides and maintains the hardware, and the giving experience is powered by the Give A Little app, which is simple enough for any committee member to manage. Because appeals are controlled remotely, whoever looks after the administration can change the cause, adjust suggested amounts or switch a festival appeal on and off without being on site. That keeps the focus where it belongs, on the community rather than the equipment.
Getting started thoughtfully
The gentlest way to begin is to introduce one device at a single, well-chosen spot, with clear signage explaining what it is for, and to let the community grow used to it before expanding. Our 30-day launch plan offers a calm, step-by-step start, and the complete buyer's guide covers the practicalities. Done with respect for tradition, a contactless donation point simply makes it easier for a generous community to keep giving in the spirit of seva and dana.