Imagine this. A mother and her child participate in a puja from their Delhi home while a revered priest chants mantras, performs havan and conducts the puja rituals live from a centuries-old temple in southern India — all seamlessly connected via a video call. Elsewhere, devotees opt for virtual darshans across holy sites and seek blessings without leaving the comfort of their homes.

This is more than tech convenience. It is spiritual tech at its best, where traditions and rituals converge with digital innovations, creating new pathways that override physical distances and redefine sacred connections.

Of late, the popularity of online astrology and e-puja services has surged. Globally, the spiritual products and services market is projected to reach $249 Bn by 2032, up from $180.2 Bn in 2024. In India alone, the religious and spiritual market reached $58.6 Bn in 2024 and is growing at a CAGR of 10%. It is expected to surpass $151.9 Bn by 2034.

The appeal of astrology has added to this business boom. At some point in life, nearly everyone turns to their horoscope in search of spiritual guidance. This widespread curiosity has made the ancient practice the perfect centrepiece for spiritual tech innovation.

Given this landscape, tech-driven startups like VAMA (Virtual Astrology and Mandir App) are redefining spiritual experiences by offering a 360-degree ecosystem. The platform enables e-puja, e-darshan,and expert astrological guidance with just a few clicks or taps.

Behind VAMA are two founders: Aacharya Dev, a third-generation astrologer, and Manu Jain, a seasoned telecom professional with extensive experience in business strategy. They started VAMA with a shared passion to merge ancient wisdom with modern tech.

“The idea came when we wanted to merge my experience in astrology with modern technology, creating a bridge between timeless wisdom and contemporary convenience,” Aacharya Dev told Inc42 during a telephonic interaction, originally recorded in Hindi and later translated to English.

The founders’ combined expertise helped them carve a niche in a largely unorganised spiritual tech market. While Jain brought sharp business acumen to the startup, Aacharya Dev’s astrological legacy laid the foundation.

To date, VAMA has conducted more than 5 lakh e-pujas and e-chadavas and expanded to 20 Tier I and II cities, carefully balancing tradition with innovation. While the e-rituals remain rooted to the tradition and mirror all offline practices, the digital platform makes them accessible to a global audience, whether one is a businesswoman from Delhi booking a quick puja between two pivotal meetings or an NRI in New York seeking to get her new home blessed by a temple in Udupi, her hometown.

Having raised nearly INR 28 Cr from the likes of Wavemaker Partners, Huddle Ventures, and Lisa Gokongwei, VAMA positions itself as a marketplace for spiritual........

© Inc42