The spiritual technology landscape in India received a significant boost as Utsav, a digital platform for religious services, announced securing ₹6.35 crore in a funding round led by Mumbai-based Equanimity Investments, with participation from existing investor India Quotient. The investment marks a growing trend of venture capital interest in devotional technology platforms, particularly as the sector experiences increased demand during major religious events.
Founded in 2021 by Ankita De, Sourajit Basu, and Prajata Samanta, Utsav has established itself as a bridge between traditional religious practices and modern technology, offering virtual puja services, prasad delivery, and priest consultations through its digital platform. The company’s success is reflected in its impressive organic traffic of 300,000 monthly website visits.
The fresh capital will fuel Utsav’s ambitious expansion plans, both domestically and internationally. The platform, which currently partners with over 60 temples across northern, eastern, and western India, aims to expand its network to 100 temples within the next year. Notably, the company has set its sights on establishing a strong presence in the South Indian market, home to some of India’s most significant temples.
“We are exploring global expansion, aiming to cater to the growing demand for virtual pujas. NRIs outside India miss these rituals even more than we do,” explains Ankita De, co-founder of Utsav. “The platform addresses a crucial need – while physical temple spaces may be limited, spiritual connections shouldn’t be constrained by geographical boundaries.”
The timing of this funding is particularly significant as the spiritual and devotional apps space witnesses unprecedented growth, partly driven by the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The sector has seen several players, including Vama.app, AppsForBharat, Astrotalk, and DevDham, securing substantial investments in recent months.
Rajesh Sehgal, Managing Partner at Equanimity Investments, emphasizes the platform’s innovative approach: “Utsav is revolutionizing how people experience religious rituals, combining tradition with technology to make spiritual services more accessible.” This sentiment is echoed by Madhukar Sinha, partner at India Quotient, who highlights the vast potential of the Indian religious and spirituality market.
Looking ahead, Utsav plans to diversify its offerings by launching e-commerce services. “We plan to offer not just pujas and prasads, but also various merchandise. From jyotirlingas to Shani yantras and rudraksha malas, we aim to provide authentic temple items directly to devotees,” De elaborates.
For Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem, Utsav’s expansion plans represent a significant opportunity. The state, known for its rich temple heritage and tech-savvy population, stands to benefit from this intersection of tradition and technology. The platform’s entry into the South Indian market could potentially create new jobs in the region and foster partnerships with local temples and religious institutions.
The investment in Utsav reflects a larger trend in the post-pandemic era, where digital platforms are increasingly bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern accessibility needs. As reported by ET on July 7, the sector has seen a revival in fortunes, driven by increased online engagement and growing interest in spiritual practices.
