In an era where technology permeates every aspect of daily life, Sri Mandir has emerged as a pioneering platform, seamlessly integrating traditional Hindu devotional practices with modern digital convenience. Developed by Bengaluru-based startup AppsForBharat, Sri Mandir offers devotees worldwide the opportunity to engage in spiritual rituals, make offerings, and access a wealth of devotional content from the comfort of their homes.
A Digital Sanctuary for Devotees
Launched in 2020 by Prashant Sachan, an alumnus of IIT-Bombay, Sri Mandir was conceived to address the fragmented and often inaccessible nature of traditional devotional services. The app provides virtual access to over 50 temples across India, enabling users to participate in pujas, offer goods (chadhava), and consult with astrologers and priests directly through the platform. This digital approach not only preserves the sanctity of rituals but also makes them more accessible to a global audience.
Since its inception, Sri Mandir has experienced remarkable growth. The app has been downloaded over 40 million times, with approximately 3.5 million monthly active users, including about 90,000 from outside India. In the past year alone, 1.2 million devotees have performed online prayers and made offerings at more than 70 temples through the app. Notably, nearly 20% of the platform’s revenue comes from the Indian diaspora in countries such as the U.S., U.K., UAE, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Investor Confidence and Financial Milestones
The success of Sri Mandir has attracted significant investor interest. In June 2025, AppsForBharat secured $20 million in a Series C funding round led by Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital, with participation from existing investors including Nandan Nilekani’s Fundamentum Partnership, Elevation Capital, and Peak XV Partners. This funding follows a $18 million Series B round in September 2024, underscoring the strong confidence in the platform’s potential.
The newly raised capital is earmarked for expanding temple partnerships in over 20 temple towns across India, including Varanasi, Ayodhya, Ujjain, and Haridwar. Additionally, the company plans to enhance its services and commerce verticals, establish logistics and fulfillment hubs for prasad and ritual item deliveries, and integrate AI-powered features to improve user experience. ([entrepreneur.com](https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/news-and-trends/appsforbharat-raises-usd-20-mn-in-series-c-round-to-scale/494059?utm_source=openai))
Bridging the Gap Between Tradition and Technology
Sri Mandir’s innovative approach addresses a significant gap in the devotional sector. India’s temple economy is valued at approximately ₹3.02 trillion (about $40 billion), accounting for nearly 2.3% of the country’s GDP. Despite this substantial market, access to devotional services has remained largely offline and fragmented. Sri Mandir’s digital platform offers a solution by providing organized and convenient access to spiritual practices, thereby fostering a connected ecosystem of devotees, priests, and temples.
The app’s user base is diverse, with an even split between tier-1 and tier-2 towns in India. Approximately 30% of users are under the age of 35, indicating a strong appeal among younger demographics. Internationally, the majority of users are aged 30 and above, reflecting the app’s resonance with the Indian diaspora seeking to maintain cultural and spiritual connections.
Enhancing User Experience Through Personalization
Sri Mandir places a strong emphasis on personalization to enhance user engagement. The app offers different deities based on the selected language, ensuring a culturally relevant experience for users from various regions. For instance, the deities displayed when using Hindi differ from those shown when using Tamil, reflecting the app’s commitment to cultural sensitivity. ([thegrowthloop.beehiiv.com](https://thegrowthloop.beehiiv.com/p/how-appsforbharat-grows?utm_source=openai))
Additionally, the app incorporates immersive features such as virtual aarti experiences, allowing users to light the aarti lamp, ring temple bells, and make ritual offerings like digital flowers and garlands. These interactive elements bring ancient rituals to life, providing a soulful and engaging worship experience. ([thegrowthloop.beehiiv.com](https://thegrowthloop.beehiiv.com/p/how-appsforbharat-grows?utm_source=openai))
Global Reach and Revenue Generation
Sri Mandir’s global expansion has been marked by significant milestones. Since its international launch, the app has experienced a 25-30% monthly growth rate, attracting 500,000 registered users and 2.5 million installs outside India. The majority of its international user base hails from the U.S., followed by Canada, the U.K., and the Middle East. This growth underscores the app’s appeal to first and second-generation Indian-Americans seeking to maintain their cultural connections. ([newsbytesapp.com](https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/everything-we-know-about-sri-mandir-devotional-app/story?utm_source=openai))
Revenue generation is primarily driven by small-ticket transactions made by users for prayers and donations through the app. Currently, 25% of the total revenue comes from outside India, highlighting the platform’s successful monetization strategy. Moreover, the app benefits temple priests by connecting them with more devotees, potentially increasing their income. A priest dedicating five to six hours weekly to the app can earn about 25-30% more than their regular income from daily operations. ([newsbytesapp.com](https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/everything-we-know-about-sri-mandir-devotional-app/story?utm_source=openai))
Future Prospects and Vision
Looking ahead, AppsForBharat aims to expand Sri Mandir’s offerings by introducing spiritual tourism, facilitating special darshan tickets, and providing seamless delivery of prasad and related devotional goods. The vision is to transform Sri Mandir into an end-to-end digital tech platform that caters to every aspect of the devotional journey. ([thehindubusinessline.com](https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/devotional-platform-appsforbharat-raises-18-mn-led-by-fundamentum/article68625179.ece?utm_source=openai))
The platform also plans to add five new regional languages and increase temple listings tenfold across India over the next year. Additionally, the app will expand its reach to key international markets, including the U.S., U.K., and Canada, targeting the 50 million-strong Indian diaspora. ([ceodekho.com](https://www.ceodekho.com/posts/appsforbharat-raises-18-million-to-expand-devotional-platform-sri-mandir?utm_source=openai))
As Sri Mandir continues to blend tradition with innovation, it stands as a testament to the potential of technology to enhance and preserve cultural and spiritual practices, making them more accessible to millions across the globe.
