Dharma In The Digital Age: How 'Dharmayana' Bridges Tradition And Technology

In earlier generations, cultural and spiritual practices were seamlessly integrated into daily life and quietly transmitted through community elders, temples, and local traditions.

Today, however, rapid urbanisation and globalisation have created a cultural distance for many younger Hindus, leading to a subtle yet significant sense of detachment from their ancestral roots.

Dharmayana was conceived as a response to this cultural shift. The app, whose name merges 'Dharma' (faith) and 'Yana' (vehicle), aims not to dictate spiritual practices but rather to serve as a practical companion for individual exploration.

Developed by engineers Mohan and Abhilash — who previously worked at technology firms like Amazon, Microsoft, Motorola, and Ola — Dharmayana leverages user-friendly technology to bridge the gap between modern lifestyles and traditional spirituality without attempting to replace the community-based learning that has become increasingly rare.

Personalised Spiritual Guidance

A central element of Dharmayana is its digital Panchanga, crafted using an algorithm designed by Professor Karthik Raman from IIT Madras.

Traditionally, Panchangas are complex almanacs requiring scholarly interpretation, but the app distills this into an accessible calendar format. It clearly identifies auspicious timings for key life events, such as weddings, housewarmings, and business launches, while respecting regional differences in calendars and traditions — from the Purnimanta system in northern and eastern India to the Amanta calendar prevalent in southern and western states.

The “Prarthana” feature further acknowledges the diversity within Hinduism by offering region-specific daily devotions. Users in Odisha might see Lord Jagannath featured prominently, while those in Mumbai encounter Lord Ganesha.

The app also provides a collection of over a thousand shlokas with translations available in multiple Indian languages, allowing users to engage with prayers in a personally meaningful way.

Recognising the role festivals play in cultural identity, Dharmayana provides clear guidance on their significance, including practical instructions for prayers, rituals, and traditional attire. This helps users authentically celebrate these occasions, regardless of their location.

Maintaining Spiritual Connections

Additionally, the app's “Pandit Pooja” service allows users globally to request personalised rituals at respected temples such as Shringeri Sharadha Peetam (Hebbasuru Branch) and Shri Gyananjenaya Swami Temple in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru. By incorporating personal details like Nakshatra, Rashi, and Gotra, this feature helps maintain spiritual connections despite geographical barriers.

Dharmayana also addresses more specific spiritual needs through services like Kundali (Jathaka) matching, daily horoscopes (Dina Bhavishya), traditional handwritten Jathakas, and online Jyotisha consultations covering topics from relationships and finances to Vastu.

These offerings meet the deeper, personalised requirements of believers rather than simply digitising traditional practices.

Comprehensive Digital Faith Platform

While similar apps exist in the Christian and Islamic contexts, such as Hallow and Muslim Pro, Dharmayana uniquely combines multiple aspects of Hindu practice — including astrology, devotional activities, wellness, and philosophical study — into a cohesive experience. It aims to be a comprehensive daily resource for Hindus across a wide range of spiritual practices and beliefs.

Insights into Cultural Trends

Analysis of Dharmayana’s user demographics reflects broader cultural trends. Many users fall within the 26-40 age bracket, indicating sustained spiritual interest among younger, urban individuals.

While primarily used within India, Dharmayana also attracts international users from places as diverse as Russia and France, highlighting the global resonance of Hindu spiritual practices.

Interestingly, the app quickly expanded from its initial English-only release into multiple regional languages due to user preference, revealing a strong inclination toward native languages for spiritual content, even among proficient English-speaking NRIs.

Building Community and Ensuring Accessibility

Community-focused features such as “Satsanga” and “Dhaana” facilitate interactions among users and encourage charitable giving, further emphasising Dharmayana’s holistic approach. Its revenue model clearly delineates free content from services that involve personal interaction, such as consultations with astrologers or priests.

Plans for future expansion include incorporating scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita, meditation practices, and Ayurvedic products, thereby deepening its integration into users’ daily lives.

Dharmayana represents a thoughtful attempt to adapt traditional Hindu spirituality to contemporary lifestyles. It seeks not merely to preserve old practices digitally but to provide a practical and culturally sensitive tool for modern individuals navigating their personal journeys within Hindu tradition.

Completely bootstrapped through 2024, Dharmayana has demonstrated strong early traction. In early 2025, the startup secured a pre-seed round of half a million dollars through a family and friends round. These proceeds will be used for expanding product, launching new services, and strengthening the platform’s foundation.