In the present scenario, a significant increase in spiritual tourism in India has been seen. An increase in the number of visits by travelers to religious and sacred places has been found. This trend of spiritual tourism is growing across India and considering the recent events of the Ram Mandir inauguration at Ayodhya along with the infrastructural development to support pilgrimage travel.
Increase in Spiritual Tourism Growth in India
A significant increase in the search for spiritual destinations around India has increased. In recent times, Ayodhya has been experiencing rush of visitors after the inauguration of Ram Mandir and Ayodhya airport that has helped in connecting many cities. The Ministry of Tourism has also stated an increase in the number of both national and international tourists visiting the religious places, located in different parts of India.
The Increase In Spiritual Tourism has also contributed to the growth of other industries associated with the spiritual tourism sector. The aviation industry is one of the industries that has benefited from the growth of spiritual tourism, as new airports and pathways to support flight and helicopter services are being developed in different parts of India. An increase in the charter flight services are seen in different pilgrimage locations. In the year 2022, India welcomed 6.64 million foreign tourists and 1,433 million national tourists.
The growth of spiritual tourism also helped in modernizing and renovating different religious and cultural sites for facilitating communication and transportation. The pro-tourism policies that have been issued by the Indian Government have played a crucial role in the resurgence of the Indian tourism industry.
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Popular Spiritual Destinations in India
Tirupati
Tirupati is a pilgrimage destination located in Andhra Pradesh. This destination is well renowned for Sri Venkateshwara temple, which is situated in the Seven Hills and is considered to be one of the most visited religious sites around the world. Tirupati is mainly a pilgrimage destination for the devotees of Lord Vishnu. Certain events such as the practice of tonsuring and the annual Brahmotsaavam are integrated parts of the traditional culture of Tirupati that attracts number of tourists from different parts of India.
Varanasi
Varanasi is situated in the banks of river Ganges and is also believed to be one of the oldest living cities across the globe. It is also considered as a spiritual hub by Hindus, where they perform rituals and cremation process. The strong belief of Hindus of achieving salvation by being cremated in Varanasi has led to earning this city the name of “City of Death”. Varanasi also has Kashi Viswanath temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple.
Golden Temple, Amritsar
Golden temple, also known as The Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest Gurudwara and stands as a symbol of cultural and spiritual significance for the Sikhs. The temple also features a pool called Serene Sarovar and a community kitchen offering free meals to the visitor, known as Langar to exemplify the humanitarian and spiritual ethics of the Sikh faith.
Vaishno Devi
Vaishno Devi is located in the Trikuta mountain of Jammu and Kashmir and is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. The pilgrims need to trek amidst the scenic path and mountains covering the sacred cave shrine. The journey to Vaishno Devi is considered as a spiritual journey by millions of devotees.
Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya is referred to as the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and thus this place holds significance for Buddhists. The Mahabodhi temple has been declared by UNESCO world heritage site. The Bodhi Tree is another attraction that adds to the spiritual landscape of Bod Gaya. The annual Buddha Purnima festival also attracts a number of tourists and pilgrims to visit Bodh Gaya.
The surge of spiritual tourism in India can be seen to be influenced by economic, religious and cultural factors. The position of India across the globe as a pilgrimage destination accompanied by the development of infrastructural facilities has contributed to the growth of spiritual tourism. As India continues to grow as a hub for spiritual experiences, the tourism sector and the industries associated with it are also gaining benefits due to the increased demand for pilgrimage and spiritual travelling and tourism.
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