Privacy Policy

Introduction

We at Padagaya (operated by Gateway2Konaseema Services Private Limited) deeply respect the privacy and trust of every devotee who visits our website or books our services. This Privacy Policy explains in clear, honest terms what personal data we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and what rights you have over your own information.

This policy applies to all users of padagaya.in and anyone who contacts us via WhatsApp, phone, or email to book our Vedic ritual services, accommodation, or tour packages at Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh. By using our website or services, you agree to the collection and use of your information as described in this policy.

We are committed to handling your personal information with the same reverence and care that we bring to our sacred ritual services. Your data is never sold, misused, or shared without your consent except as described in this policy.

What Data We Collect

We collect different types of information depending on how you interact with us. We collect only what is necessary to provide the service you have requested.

Personal Identification Data

When you make a booking or inquiry, you voluntarily provide us with personal information. This may include:

• Full name of the devotee and the deceased family member (for ritual records)
• Email address — for booking confirmation, updates, and communication
• Mobile phone number — for WhatsApp coordination, ritual reminders, and urgent updates
• Postal address — for correspondence and invoice purposes
• Gotra, nakshatra, and rashi — for accurate Vedic ritual performance (ritual-specific data)
• Government ID details — required at check-in for room bookings only

Technical and Usage Data

When you browse our website, certain data is automatically collected by our servers and analytics tools. This helps us understand how visitors use the website so we can improve it:

• IP address and approximate geographical location (city / region level)
• Browser type, version, and operating system
• Pages visited, time spent on each page, and click patterns
• Referring website or search query that brought you to padagaya.in
• Device type (mobile, desktop, tablet)

Communication Data

If you contact us via WhatsApp, email, or phone, we retain records of those communications in order to provide you with consistent service, resolve any disputes, and improve our customer support.

How We Use Your Information

We use the data we collect exclusively for the purposes of providing and improving our services. We do not use your personal data for advertising, profiling, or any purpose unrelated to your booking or inquiry.

• To process and confirm bookings for rituals such as Pinda Pradanam, Shraddha Karma, and Tarpanam
• To coordinate ritual timings, priest assignments, and puja samagri with our on-ground team at Pithapuram
• To send booking confirmations, payment receipts, and ritual preparation instructions
• To send important pre-ritual reminders and post-ritual blessings via WhatsApp or email
• To process refunds and handle cancellation requests in accordance with our refund policy
• To comply with applicable Indian tax, accounting, and regulatory requirements
• To analyse aggregated, anonymised website traffic data to improve our website and user experience
• To respond to your inquiries, complaints, or feedback in a timely manner

Payment Security — Razorpay PCI DSS Compliance

All payments made on padagaya.in are processed through Razorpay Payment Gateway, one of India's most trusted and secure payment platforms. Padagaya does not store, process, or transmit any credit card, debit card, or sensitive payment information on our own servers.

• Razorpay is certified as PCI DSS Level 1 compliant — the highest level of payment security certification globally
• All payment data is encrypted in transit using TLS 1.2+ (industry-standard SSL encryption)
• We do not store credit card numbers, CVV codes, or bank account details anywhere on our systems
• Razorpay uses 3D Secure authentication for card payments, adding an additional layer of protection
• We accept UPI, credit/debit cards, net banking, and digital wallets — all routed securely through Razorpay
• Payment confirmations and receipts are sent directly from Razorpay to your registered email or phone

For questions about Razorpay's security practices, visit razorpay.com/security.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Padagaya uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. Cookies are small text files stored in your browser that allow the website to remember preferences and analyse visitor behaviour. We use three categories of cookies:

Essential Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function. They enable core features like page navigation, form submissions, and security. You cannot opt out of these cookies without disabling basic website functionality.

Analytics Cookies

We use Google Analytics to collect anonymised data about how visitors use our website — which pages are most popular, how long visitors stay, and where they come from. This data is aggregated and does not identify individual users. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Preference Cookies

These cookies remember your preferences and settings, such as language preferences and previous choices on the website, to provide a more personalised experience.

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect the functionality of our website. Most modern browsers allow you to control cookie preferences under Settings → Privacy → Cookies.

Data Sharing and Third-Party Services

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties. We share your data only with trusted service providers who help us deliver our services, and only to the extent necessary for that purpose.

• Razorpay — Payment processing. Your payment details are shared only with Razorpay for transaction processing.
• Google Analytics — Anonymised website analytics to understand visitor behaviour and improve our website.
• WhatsApp Business — Customer communication, booking coordination, and ritual reminders.
• Our Pithapuram priest team — Ritual-specific data (your name, gotra, nakshatra) is shared with the officiating priest solely for the purpose of performing your ritual correctly.
• Government or law enforcement agencies — only when legally required or compelled by a valid court order under Indian law.

All third-party service providers we work with are required to protect your data in accordance with applicable privacy laws and are prohibited from using your data for any other purpose.

Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this policy and to comply with our legal obligations. The following retention periods apply:

• Booking records and transaction data: Retained for 7 years as required by Indian income tax and GST laws
• Ritual-specific data (gotra, nakshatra, family details): Retained for 2 years after the ritual, for any follow-up service needs
• Communication records (WhatsApp, email): Retained for 1 year for quality assurance and dispute resolution
• Website analytics data: Retained in anonymised, aggregated form for up to 26 months
• You may request deletion of your personal data at any time by emailing namaste@padagaya.in. Deletion requests will be honoured within 30 days, except for data we are legally required to retain.

Your Rights

Under applicable Indian data protection law and as a matter of our own policy, you have the following rights with respect to your personal data. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at namaste@padagaya.in.

• Right of Access: You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you at any time.
• Right to Correction: If any information we hold is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to have it corrected.
• Right to Deletion: You may request that we delete your personal data, subject to our legal retention obligations.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we process your data based on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.
• Right to Object: You may object to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes at any time.
• Right to Data Portability: You may request your personal data in a structured, commonly used format.

We will respond to all data rights requests within 30 days. In certain circumstances, we may need to extend this period by an additional 30 days and will inform you of any such extension.

Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for adults aged 18 and above. Padagaya does not knowingly collect, process, or store personal data from children under the age of 18. Our ritual services may be booked on behalf of a minor child by a parent or legal guardian — in such cases, the personal data collected belongs to the adult making the booking.

If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal data from a person under 18 without verified parental or guardian consent, we will take immediate steps to delete such information from our records. If you believe we have collected data from a child, please contact us at namaste@padagaya.in.

Links to Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including temple trust websites, Google Maps, and social media platforms. This Privacy Policy applies only to padagaya.in. We have no control over and are not responsible for the privacy practices of any third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or the services we offer. When we make significant changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you via email or WhatsApp.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Continued use of our services after any changes to this policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.