The Rise of Religious Travel in India

Ten years ago, a family trip to Vaishno Devi or Tirupati meant long queues, word-of-mouth planning, and handwritten donations at the temple counter. Today, you can book a helicopter ride to Kedarnath, join curated char dham yatra packages, or even hop aboard a fully air-conditioned Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train, all through a mobile app.

Religious travel in India has quietly transformed from a personal spiritual retreat into a booming economic and tourism movement. It's no longer just about faith; it's also about infrastructure, government budgets, and data-driven tourism planning.

Let’s break it down.

A Decade of Growth: What the Numbers Say

Over 60% of all domestic travel in India is religious in nature, according to a January 2025 report by the Punjab-Haryana-Delhi Chamber of Commerce.

India’s faith-based travel market reached USD 1.36 billion (~₹11,400 crore) in mid-2025, with a projected CAGR of 15.3% through 2032.

The broader religious tourism segment generated around USD 10.8 billion in revenue in 2024 and is forecast to reach USD 28.9 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 18.2%, according to the 2025 Global Travel Market Insights.

This is not just a spiritual movement—it’s economic momentum.

Government Is Also Investing

This rise isn’t accidental. The government is actively fuelling it.

• The Union Budget 2024–25 allocated ₹2,479 crore to the tourism sector, including ₹1,750 crore for Swadesh Darshan and ₹240 crore for PRASHAD
• Under Swadesh Darshan, ₹5,287.9 crore was sanctioned under SD1.0, and ₹791.25 crore under SD2.0, with 75 of 76 projects completed
• The PRASHAD Scheme has sanctioned 46 projects, with at least 23 completed as of late 2024.
• Bharat Gaurav trains served over 100,000 passengers in FY25, running themed routes including Kedarnath, Prayagraj, and others.

Faith Meets Facilities: What’s Changed for Travelers?

Earlier, spiritual travel meant frugal planning, budget lodges, and long road or rail journeys with limited information. But now?

Religious tourism has evolved into a curated, multi-segment experience:

Luxury pilgrimage packages from IRCTC and private operators with VIP darshan, wellness stays, and digital queue systems.

Air connectivity to remote religious hubs—Ayodhya now has a functioning international airport; flights connect Shirdi to over 9 major cities.

Spiritual retreats and wellness resorts across Uttarakhand, Kerala, and Rishikesh catering to NRIs and global tourists.

Digital queue systems, live darshan feeds, and multilingual guides improving the experience for tech-savvy and senior travelers alike.

Rise of homestays and eco-spiritual tourism in temple towns like Gokarna, Pandharpur, and Dwarka.

It’s now a lifestyle experience—whether it’s Gen Z making a spiritual stop during a Himalayan trek or a family planning a high-comfort religious getaway.

Global Trends Reflect Similar Shifts

India isn't alone.

The global religious tourism market is projected to grow from USD 254 billion in 2023 to USD 672 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of over 15% (Grand View Research, 2025).

Saudi Arabia has committed over USD 100 billion under Vision 2030 to expand Mecca’s Grand Mosque, airports, and pilgrimage infrastructure.

The Vatican expects over 32 million pilgrims during Jubilee 2025, up from its usual 6–11 million visitors annually.

Pilgrim trails like Spain’s Camino de Santiago and Japan’s Kumano Kodo have seen double-digit post-COVID growth.

But what sets India apart is its sheer scale—2 million+ temples, churches, mosques, and shrines, across every faith and corner of the country.

Challenges Ahead

With the rise in footfall comes risks:

• Over-tourism at sacred sites is leading to ecological strain (as seen in Kedarnath).
• Commercialization vs sanctity debates.
• Infrastructure gaps in smaller pilgrimage towns are still waiting for modern facilities.
• Safety and crowd control during peak seasons.

This is where smart planning and responsible tourism must go hand-in-hand. Public-private partnerships, regional planning, and sustainable tourism frameworks will be key.

Final Thought

India’s spiritual tourism surge is not just a matter of numbers. It’s a reflection of a cultural shift where faith, travel, economy, and experience intersect.

What was once a personal journey of belief is now also a driver of jobs, infrastructure, and community development.

The question isn’t why religious travel is rising.

The real question is — are we ready to shape its future responsibly?

If you’ve witnessed this shift in your own city or hometown, we’d love to hear your experiences.

Let’s start a conversation — How has religious tourism changed the places you know?