Kolkata-based spiritual and devotion platform Utsav has secured Rs 6.35 crore in a funding round led by Equanimity Investments, with participation from existing investor India Quotient. This follows the Rs 2 crore seed funding Utsav received from India Quotient in June 2023.
The startup plans to use the fresh capital to expand operations both within India and globally, hire key talent, and enhance its technology to improve user experience, the company announced in a press release.
Bringing Tradition Online
Founded in 2021 by Ankita De, Sourajit Basu, and Prajata Samanta, Utsav offers a virtual platform where users can book pujas, receive prasad via home delivery, and consult with priests online. The company aims to digitize spiritual experiences and create a comprehensive online religious ecosystem for India’s vast devotional audience.
Utsav is also expanding its offerings by introducing religious merchandise, such as jyotirlingas from Triyambakeshwar, the Shani yantra from Shani Shinganapur temple, and rudraksha malas. By merging tradition with technology, the platform seeks to make spiritual services more accessible to devotees across the world.
Growing Reach and Future Plans
Currently, Utsav attracts three lakh organic monthly website visitors and has partnered with over 60 temples across northern, eastern, and western India. The startup aims to expand its network to 100 temples within a year and strengthen its presence in South India. Additionally, Utsav plans to launch an e-commerce segment in the coming months to offer a wider range of spiritual products.
Competitive Landscape
The online spiritual services sector is gaining traction, with players such as Vama.app, AppsForBharat, Astrotalk, Astroyogi, and DevDham operating in the space. With its unique approach to digitizing religious experiences, Utsav aims to carve out a strong position in this growing market.
