Full FeedApp it Up: Shri Vishnu Prarthana and Shri Durga Prarthana
Category: Utilities (?)
Developer: Robosoft Technologies, Inc.
Requirements: iPhone OS 2.2 or later
Compatibility: iPhone and iPod touch
File Size: Shri Vishnu Prarthana - 13.0MB, Shri Durga Prarthana - 15.5MB
What are they?
Shri Vishnu Prarthana and Shri Durga Prarthana allow you to pay tribute to the Hindu deities anywhere you have your iPhone or iPod touch.
How does it work?
Both apps deliver the same basic experience, which comes in two parts. To describe it, I’ll focus on Shri Durga Prarthana. The first part allows you to listen to the Durga Chalisa and chant along. The Chalisa text is displayed in both Hindi and English, which is helpful to a guy such as myself who’s not Hindu, but is always interested in learning about other religions. Users can fast forward and rewind with a simple swipe gesture, although someone will have to explain to me why it would be appropriate to do so.
The second part—Durga Aarti—is a bit more interactive, as you actively worship Goddess Durga. While the devotional Durga Aarti music plays in the background, you touch various elements on the iPhone screen to offer them in tribute. Touching the lamps and incense sticks lights them, touching the bowl of flowers causes them to gently fall down over the deity, etc.
In both apps, the visuals are quiet attractive. The artwork is detailed and animated elements are smooth, although they do seem slightly disjointed from the backgrounds. In Vishnu Aarti, for example, the flower animations, fruit offerings, etc., seem more like they’re being applied to a 2D picture of Lord Vishnu as opposed to a 3D statue that’s there in the room with you.
The music is clear and well recorded, but it seems synthesized. This is due in part to the iPhone’s low-quality speaker, so I do recommend headphones when using these apps. Headphones will also help the app reach what the developers call “... an ambience of devotion,” as I imagine such a place would be quite hard to reach on a public bus or while waiting to be seated at a restaurant.
Features
- Pay tribute anywhere you have your iPhone or iPod touch.
- Simple tap and swipe controls to navigate the app, although it’ll take a few uses to remember what’s what.
- Attractive graphics and music help create an atmosphere of worship.
App it Up, Sum it Up
Shri Vishnu Prarthana and Shri Durga Prarthana will certainly appeal to Hindus seeking a way to enter into an attitude of worship no matter where they are. But to anyone else looking to learn a bit more about the Hindu faith, here’s an interesting and rather inexpensive way to do it.
Cost - $1.99 each
Worth the Money? - Yes
Availability - Now, at the iTunes App Store (Shri Vishnu Prarthana and Shri Durga Prarthana)
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If I was religious, this would be perfect lol.
on July 20, 2009 at 10:53 AM - LINKNice article. Dint know such an app existed. Would like to try out one. BTW, this looks nice for people like me who are more on the move.
on July 20, 2009 at 02:35 PM - LINKThats a good app. I have settled in US for the last 14 years and apps like these helps us create a virtual prayer room atmosphere. I showed these to my children how pooja and prayer is done back home in India.
on July 20, 2009 at 07:11 PM - LINKJust saw the App Store description. Pretty old app and i am noticing it now. Indian community will definitely love this.
on July 21, 2009 at 04:34 PM - LINKThanks a lot for the Review Kirk! You’ve very aptly explained all the features of this App.
This App is perfect for people living outside India who seldom get a chance to visit temples and offer prayers. Adding to that, its also beneficial for people who are on the move but don’t want to miss out on their prayers.
Hope this review will help in making a lot of people aware about this App.
on July 22, 2009 at 08:33 AM - LINKJust downloaded it..Quite good..Didnt know such apps existed..! Perfect way to start the day atleast for me.
on July 22, 2009 at 10:55 AM - LINK