Privacy Policy

Last updated: 18 October 2026

AlayaSetu is developed and operated by Murali Prasad Katta. This Privacy Policy applies to the AlayaSetu user app, public website, Temple Admin portal and associated temple and counter-booking services. It explains how we handle information about app users, temple administrators and devotees whose details are entered by temple staff, including devotees who do not have an AlayaSetu account.

1. Information we may collect

Account information

• Mobile phone number used for account registration and sign-in.
• Name, display name or username provided during sign-up or profile setup. This is associated with your account and stored in our backend.
• Other basic profile information you choose to provide.

Temple administrators and temple information

We process administrator account and contact details, temple associations, and temple information or content submitted through the portal, including temple contact details, locations, images, events and seva information. Information submitted for publication may be visible to app users and website visitors. Private account details and devotee booking records are not intended for public display.

Seva and counter-booking information

When a booking is entered, we process devotee names, mobile number, optional gothram, selected temple and seva, seva date, number of persons, amount, booking status and receipt details. Temple staff may provide this information on a devotee’s behalf. Administrators should explain this use to devotees and provide only information needed for the booking, with appropriate permission when entering another person’s details.

Payments

For bookings, we process payment mode, amount, status, transaction references and payment-gateway identifiers, including QR-code details where applicable. Cash or manually recorded payments may also be recorded by temple staff. Where an online payment gateway is used, the gateway processes the payment and returns information needed to identify and verify it. Its own privacy policy also applies to information it collects. Never provide a UPI PIN, card PIN, CVV or payment OTP to temple staff or AlayaSetu support; enter payment credentials only in the payment provider’s authorised interface.

Location information

• Approximate or precise device location when you grant permission.
• Location may be used for nearby temples, events and other location-based features.
• Continuous background location access is not required for normal use.

App activity and preferences

Depending on the features used, AlayaSetu may process followed temples, liked or saved content, devotional activity, preferences and similar account-linked interactions.

Notifications

If notifications are enabled, AlayaSetu may process a device push-notification token to deliver relevant notifications.

Information you submit

Information voluntarily provided through temple suggestions, feedback, support requests, forms or similar features may be processed to provide the requested service.

Technical information and diagnostics

Our services and infrastructure may process device, browser and app-version information, IP addresses, request logs and error or performance information to operate and troubleshoot the service. We use Sentry for application diagnostics. Where session replay is enabled in an app version, it may process a representation of on-screen activity and interactions to help investigate problems. The information collected depends on the app version, enabled features and diagnostic configuration.

Browser storage

The Temple Admin portal uses browser local storage to retain sign-in tokens and account information needed to maintain your session. Use a trusted device and log out after using a shared device.

2. How information is used

• Create, authenticate and manage user and administrator accounts.
• Manage temple content, seva records and bookings; generate receipts; verify payment status; and handle booking enquiries.
• Use your name, display name or username to identify your profile and personalize in-app greetings, such as the Home screen greeting.
• Provide nearby temple, event and location-based experiences.
• Maintain account preferences and devotional activity.
• Deliver enabled notifications.
• Respond to support requests and user submissions.
• Protect the service against misuse, fraud and security threats.
• Maintain and improve reliability and functionality.

3. Location permission

AlayaSetu may request foreground location permission for features such as nearby temples and events. You can deny or revoke this permission at any time in your device settings. Location permission is not required simply to read this policy.

4. Storage and security

Information may be processed or stored using backend and cloud infrastructure used to operate AlayaSetu. Reasonable safeguards are used, but no internet-connected system can guarantee absolute security.

5. Service providers and sharing

AlayaSetu uses service providers for cloud hosting, databases, media storage, notifications, payment processing and application diagnostics. They may process the information needed to provide those services. Infrastructure and service-provider processing may occur in India or other countries, depending on the provider and service configuration.

Booking information is shared with the relevant temple and its authorised staff for seva fulfilment, receipt management, payment verification and support. Authorised AlayaSetu personnel may access information for service operation, troubleshooting and support. Temples are responsible for their own handling of information outside AlayaSetu, including downloaded or printed records.

Information may also be disclosed when necessary to comply with applicable law or a lawful request, address fraud or security incidents, or protect the rights and safety of users and the service.

AlayaSetu does not sell users' personal information.

6. Data retention

Personal information is retained only as long as reasonably necessary to provide the service, maintain security, comply with applicable legal obligations or resolve disputes.

When a user deletes their account, account-linked personal information is deleted or anonymized, except where limited information must be retained for legitimate legal, security, fraud-prevention or regulatory reasons.

Booking, receipt and payment records may need to be retained separately from an app account for accounting, transaction verification, dispute resolution or applicable legal requirements. Deleting an app account does not automatically cancel a booking, issue a refund or erase records held independently by a temple or payment provider.

7. Account and data deletion

Account deletion includes the name, display name or username associated with your account, subject to the retention exceptions described above.

Users can also initiate deletion outside the app on the Account Deletion page.

Temple administrators and devotees without an app account can request access, correction or deletion of their personal information by emailing the contact below. For booking-related requests, provide the temple name and booking or receipt reference, if available. We may ask for limited information to verify your identity and authority before responding. Do not email passwords, OTPs or payment credentials. Requests are subject to the retention needs described above; we will explain relevant limitations when responding.

8. Children's privacy

AlayaSetu is a devotional and temple-services application. Users should provide personal information only when permitted by applicable law. If we become aware that information was collected in violation of applicable children's privacy requirements, we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

9. Your choices

• Disable location permission.
• Disable notifications.
• Update available profile information.
• Log out.
• Permanently delete your app account, subject to the retention exceptions above.
• Contact us about access, correction, deletion or a privacy concern, including information entered by temple staff.

10. Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated when AlayaSetu features, services or legal requirements change. The latest version will be published here with an updated revision date.

11. Contact