Religious tourism in India | Some thoughts and observations

Back when I was a kid, my sibling and I dreaded the annual school holidays. While most families would escape to hill stations, foreign locations or other such interesting places, all we had to look forward to were trips centered-around religious destinations! Every annual vacation took the form of a pilgrimage to some remote yet popular (meaning crowded) temple or shrine. Several life stages and personal belief changes later, I may have become more mature about the experience. But back then, I can admit now, I hated the experience.

What is religious tourism anyway?

Religious tourism does not have to be place-of-worship specific. While the core motive can be the deity or monument, other aspects like art, culture, architecture and traditions could also be highlights. 

In a country like India, there are religions galore! While Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism can claim credit of originating here, the country and it’s secular policy have ensured that non-Indian religions like Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism (among others) have large followings and continue to thrive here. Add to this several other tribal and nature-worship religions and what you have is a smorgasbord of religious experience available nowhere else!

Kinds of Religious Tourism

Religious Tourism can be categorized into two distinct groups.

1. The Domestic Circuit

Given the population of a country like India and given the multiplicity of religions which thrive here, the domestic religious tourism market has always been a large sector. While religion is based on belief, in today’s world it is also a lucrative business. Typically, temples, mosques, churches and other religious locations are owned and managed by trusts. These trust need to find a way to monetize their location and continually generate income for maintenance, infrastructure development and upkeep. The domestic circuit plays an important role in this ecosystem.

2. The ‘Foreign’ Circuit

This essentially comprises people who belong to a different religion, region or country who come to India to primarily undertake religious tourism in India to experience the novelty value. Frankly, this is a compelling enough reason for the simple fact that several religions thrive here and are well-represented across the length and breadth of the country. The foreign circuit may or may not club religious tourism with destination travel.

In other posts, we will attempt to analyze the Religious Tourism Market in India in greater detail as well as look as some recent initiatives (Public and Private) that have given this sector a much-needed boost.