Ayodhya is a city situated on the banks of the Sharayu River in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh which has been transformed significantly. From the new Maharishi Valmiki Airport to the revamped railway station, Ayodhya has been renovated ahead of the Ram temple inauguration on 22nd January 2024. Experts predict a massive rise in spiritual tourism, with officials anticipating three to five lakh daily visitors in the coming months. India is focused on the grand “Pran Pratishtha” (sanctification) ceremony of the under-construction Ram temple in Ayodhya. Large posters bearing a symbolic image of the upcoming Ram temple, design of the new airport along with a message that hails Ayodhya as a city of “Maryada, Dharm and Sanskriti” have been put up in the temple town, including at locations near the airport and the station and the bypass road.
The hospitality industry in Ayodhya is fortunate as it will be benefited from religious tourism, with major hotel chains such as IHCL, Marriott, Sarovar and many other hotel brands planning projects in the temple town. The existing hotels are struggling to meet the demand, and there are plans for around 550 “Home Stay” centres for visitors to experience local culture and cuisine for 22nd Jan 2024. The transformation of Ayodhya gained momentum after the Bhoomi Puja ceremony for the Ram Mandir in August 2020.
Ayodhya’s transformation from an undistinguished mofussil town to bustling city gained momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the Bhoomi Puja ceremony of Ram Mandir on August 5, 2020, about nine months after the Supreme Court’s unanimous verdict in favour of Ram temple on November 9, 2019.
In few months’ times, people will not only visit Ayodhya to pray and respect to Ram Lalla, but they will also come here for ceremonies and rituals. It will be one of the renowned venues for wedding destination for people with spiritual bent of minds. Not only weddings, but people would also like to perform other family functions like the mundan ceremony (tonsure) of children and birthdays in Ayodhya. The Ayodhya Development Authority, which is organizing the project, has received 600 applications for locals willing to start a homestay facility at their residence.
The Home Stay facility will be an ideal opportunity for visitors to enjoy local cuisine and culture of Avadh by staying with locals. The tourism department and the development authority will keep a check on these centres to ensure their proper functioning assures the Ayodhya Development Authority.
India is a land of religious and spiritual tourism. It refers to travel for religious or spiritual purposes, such as undertaking a pilgrimage and visiting sacred sites. Also known as sacred or faith tourism, it is one of the oldest forms of tourism. Religious tourism is a niche within the segment of cultural tourism, comprising four specialist niches pilgrimages, visiting sacred sites, church, mosque and temple tourism, and travel for the purpose of mission or worship.
The temple tour packages in India cater to the religious sites of North Haridwar-Rishikesh-Varanasi. In Central Mahakaal-Kjajuraho-Sarnath in South Chennai- Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram-Kanyakumari and in West Pushkar-Mount Abu- Somnath- Dwarka in Gujrat. Therefore, whether a South India temple tour or a North Indian temple tour package, you will be spellbound with remarkable architecture. India comprises diverse religions, caste, and creed therefore you will find temples of Hindus and Jains, Buddhists Monasteries, Sikhs’ Gurudwaras, Muslim Mosques, Christian’s Churches. Some are in the form of prehistoric caves, which also enjoy the privileges of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Some of them include Ajanta, Ellora, Modhera Surya Temple, Khajuraho, Sun Temple of Konark, Elephanta, Taj Mahal, Bodh Gaya, Nalanda University etc.
India being part of the world’s oldest civilizations is a land of rich history, countless beliefs, traditions, and legends surrounding the religions. India takes pride in the country’s rich cultural and religious history as it is the birth land of the traditions of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. India is a land where people of different religious beliefs live in harmony and brotherhood. Hinduism is believed to be the world’s oldest religion. Unlike other religions, Hinduism does not have a founder but is instead a fusion of religions. Various ancient manuscripts and scholars describe the religion as a traditional way of living, a religion whose beginning and ending cannot be traced.
Indians seek spiritual support or reinforce their religious beliefs. Often, they undertake a pilgrimage for religious reasons or for the purpose of worship. Most religious tourists are very motivated to travel, so they are willing to spend more money than the average traveller. This inherent motivation also makes religious tourism less susceptible to economic lows. Believers like to travel in groups of like-minded people.
What is Religious Tourism?
When a person travels to a pilgrimage site primarily based on their religious belief, it is known as religious tourism. These travellers perform pilgrimage to worship and enjoy salvation. However, there are Muslim and Jewish travellers who go for pilgrimage because it is obligated by their religion.
Popularity of Religious Tourism
People visit the religious sites for expressing gratitude to the Almiighty, to confess their secrets and sins, to thank the deity, asking for forgiveness. For Spiritual Salvation etc. In many societies, going on a pilgrimage is seen as a mark of devotion. People also travel to religious sites to celebrate religious events, communicate with other believers. For the youngers generations and for foreigners’ new experience of spiritual travel could be the reason why they throng to temples and other religious sites. Better connectivity from major Indian cities is another significant reason people have begun to visit the pilgrim sites.
The Indian history is rich in spiritual learnings, cultural references and values that add solemnness to our actions. Today, many aspects of our lives have influenced the West. They are visiting India in search of peace and tranquillity. We Indians are blessed with the spiritual abundance.
