India has been a powerhouse of faith and spirituality since time immemorial, as seen in ancient temple megastructures sprawling across acres of land. Each temple is unique, some known for rituals, others for their rich histories, or their deities. Many are believed to be older than most things we know today. Varanasi, for instance, is said to have 2,000 to 3,000 temples densely packed within the city. These temples form a mini-economy, employing many in parallel industries. For example, the Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh is among the richest temples globally, with projected revenues exceeding ₹1,000 crores. It is renowned for its visitor count and significant donations from devotees. Similarly, the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Maharashtra is estimated to earn around ₹900 crores annually.
In India, the market for religious spending is estimated at $50 billion annually. Key festivals showcase the immense scale of this market. For example, the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple sees over 60,000 visitors daily, while the Vaishno Devi Temple attracts around 10 million annually. Major events like the Kumbh Mela draw an astonishing 120 million pilgrims, and the Rath Yatra at the Jagannath Temple witnesses over 1 million devotees in a single day. Given these numbers, the market’s vast potential highlights the need for digital solutions like Sri Mandir.
In India’s fast-paced and growing economy, with a population now surpassing China, many devotees struggle to access temples. Geographic barriers, time constraints, and health issues often prevent participation in rituals and community events. This challenge highlights the need for bridging the gap between tradition and accessibility. Sri Mandir, conceptualized by Prashant Sachan, founder of Apps for Bharat, was born from this necessity, leveraging technology to connect devotees with their faith.
Apps for Bharat, the parent company of Sri Mandir, raised $18 million in its Series B round. Since launching in 2021, the app has achieved over 30 million downloads, allowing access to more than 50 temples. Over the past year, 500,000 devotees have participated in 2.7 million pujas and offerings. The app enables users to join pujas, make offerings, and view devotional content from home. The firm plans to expand its offerings with spiritual tourism, special darshan tickets, and Prasad delivery, while also scaling internationally to the US, UK, and Canada, adding five new regional languages.
Sri Mandir’s easy-to-use UI/UX, combined with offerings tailored to the Indian context, signifies a transformative shift in India’s economic activities. Such solutions are poised to redefine the next generation of economic engagement, blending tradition with modern technology. By embracing India’s rich spiritual heritage, an inclusive economy can emerge, fostering a space where diverse needs are met, allowing everyone to participate and thrive.
[…] Also Read: Faith and Innovation: Sri Mandir’s Rise in India’s $50 Billion Devotional Market […]