ONDC Expands Spiritual Services with Vama.app Partnership

The government-backed ecommerce platform, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), is broadening its range of services by integrating spiritual offerings through Vama.app. This move will enable users to access virtual pujas, temple darshans, rituals, and astrology services.

Existing and New Providers on ONDC

Spiritual service providers like Iskcon and Hari Bol are already part of the ONDC network. Vama.app, supported by Wavemaker Partners, is joining as both a buyer and seller platform. This expansion aims to make these services accessible to a wider audience.

Vama.app's Expansion Goals

Vama.app, founded in 2020, currently boasts 400,000 monthly users. Cofounder Manu Jain expressed ambitions to double this user base with ONDC’s help. "ONDC has a reach across 3,000 apps where Vama’s services can be sold," Jain told ET, highlighting the phased rollout strategy starting with a few apps before expanding to others.

Partnerships and Network Growth

Vama.app has established partnerships with over 250 temples and has a network of more than 300 astrologers. This extensive network is set to leverage ONDC’s expansive reach, which spans 600 cities and 1,200 delivery destinations nationwide.

Rising Interest in Spiritual Services

There is a growing consumer and investor interest in spiritual and religious apps. The post-pandemic surge in online engagement and the rising interest in spiritual practices have significantly boosted the fortunes of apps offering these services.

ONDC’s Broader Vision

T Koshy, managing director and CEO of ONDC, emphasized that the network aims to be a comprehensive platform for users, providing a wide range of services from commerce to spiritual needs. ONDC recorded 12 million orders in July, with daily orders peaking at about 430,000, and the mobility sector contributing 4.4 million orders.