Are we buying our blessings or deepening our faith?

Just a tap on your smartphone screen can order you a personalized milk offering from Kashi Vishwanath, along with a video link and mailed prasad. And behind these services are the ‘faith-tech’ platforms which have made some of the world’s most ancient temple rituals accessible in real time to millions around the world, even including those who may never be able to physically visit. But, as apps gain ever greater reach, how should we define the spirit of true devotion when it comes to one of humanity’s oldest religions?

Is technology enhancing our connection with the divine by democratising worship and making it more widely available, or is it commodifying something far older than commerce itself and taking us further down a path where spirituality becomes another product being sold online?