Faith in Patna has had to make the change to a cashless economy with finances at places of worship taking a dip following demonetisation.

Temples, mosques and churches are struggling to pay their employees after the note recall. Shailendra Prasad Singh, priest of Kali Mandir near Baans Ghat, said: "Almost Rs 80,000 we got in monthly donation has halved. Paytm is our only way forward." Mahavir Mandir, Choti Patan Devi Mandir in Patna City and the mosque in New Patliputra Colony also suffer as donations have dipped by around 30-40 per cent. The committees will meet to assess the viability of Paytm accounts.

Father Johnson Kelakath, parish priest of the Queen of Apostles Church in Kurji, said: "These are tough times for us," but refused to use Paytm or such e-wallet facilities.

Only Takht Shri Harmandir Sahib seems to be faring well as it had installed point-of-sale machinestwo years ago. "We have ordered 25 more machines and applied for Paytm," said gurdwara committee official J.S. Jeet.