In a significant development in the digital devotion space, AppsForBharat, the parent company behind the Sri Mandir devotion platform, has raised $18 million in a Series B funding round. The funding was led by Fundamentum, with Susquehanna Asia joining the captable as a new investor. Existing backers Elevation Capital, Peak XV, and Mirae Asset VC also participated in this round, further demonstrating their faith in the company’s vision.
AppsForBharat, an IIT Bombay alumni and serial entrepreneur, was founded in 2020, and since then, it has grown to become a significant force in the Indian devotional technology market. Since its inception in 2021, the Sri Mandir app has received over 30 million downloads and provides users with a special platform for participating in religious rites, offering commodities as part of devotions, and accessing temples remotely.
Credits: CNBCTV18
The Scope of Sri Mandir’s Offerings
Sri Mandir is not just a regular devotional app—it is a holistic platform designed to cater to the complete spiritual journey of its users. The app provides access to devotional content and enables online participation in pujas and rituals at over 50 temples across India. It allows devotees to virtually visit temples, book rituals, and even make offerings, or chadhava, as part of their spiritual practice.
With over 5 lakh devotees offering 27 lakh pujas through the app in the last year alone, Sri Mandir is meeting a growing demand for digitized religious services in a world increasingly dominated by technology and remote interactions. The convenience and accessibility provided by the platform have created a bridge between technology and tradition, making it easier for devotees to remain connected with their faith.
Credits: startupstars.in
Expansion and Use of Funds
The $18 million raised in this Series B funding round will be used to scale the app’s operations both in India and internationally. The company plans to onboard new temples, adding to its already substantial list of more than 50 partner temples. This will allow the platform to further diversify its offerings and provide devotees with a richer, more immersive experience.
In addition, Sri Mandir plans to launch new services that cater to a broader spectrum of devotional needs. According to founder Prashant Sachan, the long-term vision is to create an “end-to-end digital tech platform” that caters to every aspect of a user’s spiritual journey. This could involve expanding into adjacent areas such as spiritual education, guided meditations, or even live-streamed temple events.
The Rise of Devotional Tech
The quick uptake of Sri Mandir is indicative of a larger trend in the development of devotional technology. As internet connectivity spreads throughout India, more individuals are looking to digital solutions for their spiritual needs, particularly those who do not have the opportunity to physically visit temples. This trend was further increased by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many temples to close and drove followers to look for other places to worship.
One of the pioneers in this field, AppsForBharat, has been effective in fusing tradition with technology. The app’s popularity demonstrates how internet firms are modernizing traditional processes to fit with contemporary lifestyles. The Sri Mandir app gives a preview of what devotional experiences may be like in the future by permitting virtual darshans, or seeing a deity, and making online contributions easier.
The Potential Impact of New Services
In addition to scaling existing operations, AppsForBharat has outlined several exciting new services that are set to launch over the next five years. The company aims to introduce spiritual tourism, facilitate the booking of special darshan tickets, and ensure seamless delivery of Prasad (devotional food offerings) and other devotional goods. This expansion has the potential to create new revenue streams and increase the platform’s engagement with users, who can now integrate these services into their daily devotional routines.
Conclusion
AppsForBharat is well-positioned to take Sri Mandir to the next level with its $18 million Series B funding, expanding operations and introducing new services to meet the increasing need for digital devotion. The company’s creation of an all-inclusive platform that addresses all facets of the spiritual journey is revolutionizing the way individuals interact with their faith in the future. AppsForBharat is in a good position to profit from the developing nexus between tradition and technology as it grows both domestically and abroad.
