The inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya earlier this year is being hailed as a pivotal moment in religious tourism, yet Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India, is already experiencing a significant surge in the sector with five out of the top ten most visited tourist destinations being spiritual sites. These include Ujjain, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Omkareshwar, and Salkanpur, reflecting the state’s rising popularity of spiritual tourism.
This trend has contributed to a record-breaking tourist footfall of 11.21 crore, showcasing substantial growth compared to 2022’s 3.41 crore visitors.
Ujjain, renowned as one of India’s holiest cities, emerged as the most popular tourist destination in the State, attracting over 5.28 crore spiritual seekers and tourists. It is revered as the abode of Lord Shiva and is home to the famous Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple, a major pilgrimage site for Shaivites. Ujjain also hosts the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, attracting millions of devotees and tourists every few years. The city’s spiritual ambiance, ancient temples, and religious festivals make it a significant destination for spiritual tourism in Madhya Pradesh, contributing to the state’s cultural heritage and tourism sector.
“Number of footfalls not only surpassed pre-Covid levels but also positioned Madhya Pradesh as a leading tourist destination in India. Given that Ujjain among five religious sites have emerged as the top attraction, drawing over 5.28 crore pilgrims and tourists.
“This showcases the state’s growing prominence in religious tourism,” SheoShekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary of State Tourism and Culture on the occasion of Madhya Pradesh’s Tourism Day said here. Ujjain was followed closely by Maihar, with 16,849,000 tourists, as per the State Government data. Likewise, Indore, known for its historical landmarks and culinary delights, welcomed over 10 million tourists, making it a prominent destination in the state. Chitrakoot attracted 9,001,126 tourists seeking solace and spiritual enlightenment.
Omkareshwar witnessed a considerable footfall of 3,475,000 tourists whereas Jabalpur saw 2,669,869 tourists exploring its myriad attractions.
Salkanpur recorded 2,565,000 tourists, Narmadapuram, encompassing Pachmarhi, Madhai, Narmadapuram, and Adamgarh, witnessed 2,283,837 tourists and Raisen, boasting attractions like Bhimbetka, Sanchi, and Bhojpur, welcomed 2,137,058 tourists.Bhopal, the capital city known for its string of lakes, attracted 1,950,965 footfalls.
According to the State Government, while 2022 recorded 34,138,757 tourists, 2021 saw 25,595,668 tourists, and 2020 welcomed 21,400,693 tourists.
According to reports, religious tourism in India is moving North, projecting a CAGR of over 16% between 2023 and 2030. Post COVID, religious inclination of Indians has become stronger. Industry reports also indicate a significant rise in overnight journeys for pilgrimage & 14% rise in donations in the year 2021-2022, according to Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services as per reports.
