Is spiritual tourism poised to surpass popular destinations like Goa and Agra? Government projections indicate it may be possible.

Religious tourism destinations in India are experiencing a resurgence, with Varanasi and Ayodhya poised to overshadow traditional favorites like Goa and Agra. According to recent insights shared by the Tourism Ministry, Varanasi has seen a remarkable increase in visitor numbers post-COVID, thanks to projects like the Kashi Vishwanath corridor.

Data from the Centre reveals the growing appeal of spiritual sites, with Varanasi attracting 8.5 crore tourists in 2023, Prayagraj hosting 4.5 crore visitors, and Ayodhya’s Ram temple drawing in over 1.5 crore pilgrims since its consecration in February 2024. With this trend, Varanasi is on track to surpass established tourist hubs like Goa, Agra, and Shimla.

Preeti Srivastava, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism in Uttar Pradesh, credits initiatives like the Kashi Vishwanath corridor for the boom in tourism and notes the evolving perception of temples as must-visit destinations. Varanasi’s visitor numbers have surged from 2 crore in 2019 to 8.2 crore in 2022, showcasing its rise as a tourism hotspot.

Industry projections forecast a revenue of Rs 5,900 crore from religious tourism by 2028, prompting the central government to allocate Rs 5,294 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for projects across popular religious circuits. The Ministry of Tourism’s PRASHAD scheme also aims to enhance pilgrimage experiences by developing and promoting sacred sites nationwide.

MakeMyTrip trend reports further highlight the growing interest in religious tourism, with Ayodhya, Ujjain, and Badrinath among the top searched destinations. Ayodhya, in particular, has seen a remarkable 585% growth in searches, reflecting a broader surge in pilgrimage interest across India. Other destinations experiencing significant growth in searches include Ujjain, Badrinath, Amarnath, Kedarnath, Mathura, Dwarkadhish, Shirdi, Haridwar, and Bodh Gaya.