Spiritual tech startup My Tirth India shuts down, founder says 'This pain will stay with me for life'

Spiritual tourism startup My Tirth India is shutting down operations due to a lack of funds, according to founder Indraneel Dasgupta.

He said the startup has been facing a shortage of funds following the demise of its principal shareholder and mentor, Subrata Roy, the founder of Sahara India Pariwar.

It raised nearly $1 million from the late Subrata Roy.

Founder shares announcement

“We at My Tirth India, endeavoured to bring that ‘smile’ back to Spiritual Tourism. The economies of several cities depend on temples. Hotels, travel, food, and culture, all are built around the temple," said Indraneel Dasgupta.

“However, it is this experience, we have neglected the most. My Tirth India over-a-period of the last couple of years, had connected with temples, priests, hotels, travel agents, astrologers, ayurveda, yoga and wellness centres across the country bringing together a holistic experience to every pilgrim. At the same time, we have tried to generate as much employment as possible across cities, villages and towns encouraging people to rediscover their culture, traditions and heritage. But it’s with utter sadness, that we finally have to shut down the office due to the lack of funds after the unfortunate demise of our principal shareholder and mentor."

“We in our own small way tried to make a difference in people’s lives and at the same time pay homage to our forefathers who in spite of oppression and repression had not given up on their roots and culture’. But as things stand now, we are unable to proceed any further running with a skeletal staff who are working without pay, having no office and working out of our homes. We now have no choice but to stop operations at least temporarily as we have no funds to continue, this pain I will take with me till the day I die", he added.

My Tirth India offerings

Founded in 2019, My Tirth India facilitated tours to India’s top religious destinations by bringing temples, priests, hotels, travel agents, astrologers, Ayurveda, and yoga services onto one platform.

The startup also launched spiritual membership programs for travellers and established spiritual showrooms in cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, Kolkata, and Noida, offering products such as agarbatti, dhoop, puja samagri, havan samagri, and idols.