Durlabh Darshan

Durlabh Darshan (operated by TechXR Innovations Pvt. Ltd.) is a pioneering spiritual-tech startup redefining access to India’s sacred heritage through immersive 3D/360° VR experiences. The brainchild of Prashan Kumar Mishra—a former Indian Revenue Service officer and tech entrepreneur—the company addresses the challenges of overcrowded temples and limited access to rituals by offering virtual darshans and ceremonies. The company operates omnichannel, blending physical VR centers (Durlabh Darshan Kendras) with at-home VR kits, democratizing access to spirituality for elderly devotees, remote populations and time-constrained urbanites.

Core Products and Services

• Temple Sanctum Tours: 360° virtual access to garbh griha (sanctum) of Jyotirlingas (Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar) and Shakti Peeths (Vaishno Devi, Harsiddhi Mata).

• Ritual Experiences: Live-streamed Bhasma Aarti (Ujjain), Shayan Aarti (Kashi) and Mangla Aarti with spatial audio.

• Durlabh Darshan Kendras: Physical VR centers near major temples, offering 10–15 minute sessions priced at ₹150–250.

• At-Home VR Kits: Headset + app subscriptions (₹2,500–₹5,100) for remote darshans, targeting NRIs and homebound devotees.

Key milestones

• Raised ₹7.45 crore in 2022 from individual investors and $2 million in a 2025 Series A led by Prime Venture Partners.

• Partnered with the Ayodhya Development Authority to launch immersive centers along the Ram Van Gaman Path.

• Expanded to 15+ Kendras across Ujjain, Varanasi, Omkareshwar and Katra by 2025, with plans for 40–50 new locations.

• Achieved 4.8/5 ratings on Tripadvisor for VR darshan experiences, reflecting strong user satisfaction.

Business Model & Revenue Streams

• Physical Kendras (60% of FY25 revenue): Ticket sales from VR sessions, averaging ₹200 per user with 500+ daily visitors per center.

• Online Subscriptions (30%): Annual plans (₹2,500) for app access, contributing ₹7.5 crore annually at 30,000 subscribers.

• Hardware Sales (5%): VR headsets bundled with annual subscriptions (₹5,100).

• B2B Partnerships (5%): White-label solutions for temple trusts and tourism boards.

Customer segmentation

• B2C (90%): Devotees aged 40–70 (50%), millennials/Gen Z (40%) and NRIs (10%).

• B2B (10%): Temple authorities, state tourism departments and corporate wellness programs.

Top Clients & Partnerships

• Ayodhya Development Authority: Strategic partnership to launch Kendras along the Ram Van Gaman Path, targeting 1 million+ annual pilgrims.

• TechXR Innovations: Parent company providing AR/VR tech stack, including the patented XR controller.

• Prime Venture Partners: Lead investor enabling geographic and product expansion.

• Temple Trusts: Collaborations with Mahakaleshwar Temple (Ujjain) and Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi) for exclusive content.

• Tripadvisor: Integrated booking platform driving 30% of Kendra traffic.

Future Outlook & Strategic Priorities

• Geographic Expansion: Targeting 40–50 new Kendras by 2027, including Tier 2/3 cities (Guwahati, Imphal) and international markets (US, UAE).

• Product Innovation: AI-driven personalized darshan journeys and multi-sensory experiences (e.g., scent diffusion during rituals).

• Content Library Growth: Adding 10+ temples annually, including Kedarnath and Golden Temple (Amritsar).

• Tech Obsolescence: Rapid VR/AR advancements requiring continuous R&D investment.

• Regulatory Scrutiny: Potential pushback from temple authorities on virtual commodification of rituals.