Pilgrimage Travel In India Sees Nineteen Percent Growth With Rising Popularity Of Varanasi, Ayodhya, Khatushyam Ji, And Thiruchendur

Published on September 10, 2025

Pilgrimage recreation crossed India has go 1 of nan fastest-growing sectors successful nan tourism industry, arsenic caller information reveals a 19% summation successful accommodation bookings for FY 2024-25. This inclination is not only constricted to nan well-known visit hubs specified arsenic Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Tirupati, but is besides expanding to newer belief hotspots. Destinations for illustration Khatushyam Ji successful Rajasthan, Omkareshwar successful Madhya Pradesh, and Thiruchendur successful Tamil Nadu person seen important maturation successful caller years, pinch immoderate locations witnessing booking increases of complete 25%.

The study highlights that short-term, purpose-driven recreation is dominating nan sector, pinch travelers progressively opting for single-night stays. This increasing request is besides prompting nan motorboat of caller accommodations and services, peculiarly successful premium segments. In this article, we research nan latest trends successful India’s visit recreation assemblage and nan factors driving this surge.

Pilgrimage Travel Growth Across India

According to nan “Pilgrimage Travel Trends 2024-25” study by MakeMyTrip, India’s visit tourism has grown significantly, pinch bookings rising by 19% crossed 56 destinations. This maturation reflects nan wide entreaty of belief journeys that spell beyond accepted visit sites. The surge is attributed to a operation of factors, including nan convenience of travel, a deepening relationship to belief destinations, and nan expanding readiness of divers accommodation options.

While nan halfway destinations for illustration Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Puri proceed to beryllium popular, a notable summation successful liking is seen successful emerging visit locations. Rajasthan’s Khatushyam Ji, located successful nan Shekhawati region, and Omkareshwar, a ineffable municipality successful Madhya Pradesh, are experiencing a roar successful visitant numbers. Similarly, Thiruchendur successful Tamil Nadu, known for its Murugan temple, is attracting some section and world pilgrims. These destinations person recorded double-digit growth, and immoderate person seen bookings emergence by much than 25%.

Short-Term Stays Gaining Popularity

A cardinal uncovering of nan study is nan expanding penchant for short trips. Over half (53%) of each visit travelers are opting for single-night visits. This contrasts pinch leisure travel, wherever only 45% of travelers for illustration one-night stays. The convenience of short-term pilgrimages fits good pinch nan engaged schedules of galore devotees, who often activity quick, purposeful visits to belief centers. Two-night stays relationship for 31% of visit bookings, while longer stays of 4 nights aliases much are comparatively rare.

The inclination towards shorter pilgrimages is besides a consequence of improved proscription and accommodation options that let for much elasticity and convenience. Travelers tin now easy scheme last-minute trips to various destinations, often wrong conscionable a fewer days of departure. This has contributed to nan emergence successful fame of visit travel, making it much accessible to a wider scope of people.

Premium Accommodation connected nan Rise

While budget-friendly rooms priced nether Rs 4,500 stay nan astir celebrated choice, location is an expanding request for premium accommodations. Bookings for rooms successful nan Rs 7,000–10,000 scope grew by 24%, while those exceeding Rs 10,000 saw a 23% rise. The emergence of upscale accommodation is not only reflecting a displacement successful nan preferences of pilgrims but besides nan summation successful disposable income among a conception of nan organization consenting to put successful amended lodging for their belief journeys.

This increasing request for premium stays is driving nan description of high-end hotels, homestays, and work apartments. More than a 3rd of nan accommodation options successful visit destinations person been introduced complete nan past 3 years, pinch premium offerings making up a important information of this growth. This roar is further fueled by a wide inclination towards much comfort-focused recreation experiences, arsenic travelers progressively activity a blend of spirituality and luxury.

Group Travel Trends

Another important inclination successful visit tourism is nan emergence of group travel. Pilgrimage trips, often taken successful groups pinch family aliases community, now relationship for 47% of each bookings. This is simply a marked opposition to leisure travel, wherever group trips dress up only 38.9% of bookings. The consciousness of organization and shared intent during group pilgrimages adds to nan entreaty of visiting ineffable sites pinch loved ones. Group recreation besides allows for cost-sharing, making it a much affordable action for galore families and belief groups.

New Accommodations and Infrastructure

As nan request for visit recreation continues to increase, nan infrastructure successful galore belief destinations is being quickly upgraded. The increasing request for caller hotels, homestays, and accommodation options has resulted successful an influx of caller establishments. In fact, much than a 3rd of nan accommodation proviso successful visit destinations has been added successful nan past 3 years. These recently established accommodations are catering to some budget-conscious and premium-seeking travelers, ensuring a much divers scope of options for pilgrims.

Emerging Pilgrimage Locations

The fame of emerging visit sites for illustration Khatushyam Ji, Omkareshwar, and Thiruchendur underscores a broader displacement successful recreation preferences. Devotees are progressively looking beyond nan well-established visit towns to research little crowded destinations that connection belief fulfillment and tranquility. These locations are not only becoming much accessible but are besides benefiting from enhanced proscription and infrastructure developments.

Closing Thoughts

The rising inclination successful visit tourism crossed India reflects nan country’s deep-rooted belief and taste heritage. With caller destinations gaining prominence and travelers seeking much comfortableness and convenience, nan assemblage is poised for sustained growth. Whether done short, purpose-driven visits aliases nan increasing request for premium accommodations, visit recreation is evolving, offering some accepted and modern experiences for today’s pilgrims.