Spiritual faith is a conscious decision. Spiritual faith happens when we place our trust in God. Giving our trust to God releases the element of faith inside of us. A person may be high in their Spiritual Quotient (SQ) but may have no religious faith or belief in form of God. Similarly, a person may be religious but low in their SQ. Those seeking meaning form their life and the purpose of life are on their path to attaining that spiritual realization.

IQ, or intelligence quotient, which is tested using the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales. The scale is an individually administered measure of general intelligence for persons ages 2 years to 23 years 11 months. The scale yields a standard score with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 16. It refers to our rational, logical, rule-bound problem-solving intelligence. It is supposed to be what makes us bright or dim. It is also a style of thinking. All of us use some IQ, or we wouldn’t be functional.

EQ – Emotional Quotient became famous in 1995 by Daniel Goleman. He articulated the kind of intelligence that our heart, or emotions, have. EQ is manifested in trust, empathy, emotional self-responsiveness and self-control, and the ability to respond appropriately to the emotions of others. It’s a sense of where people are coming from; for example, if someone looks dull and drawn, he must be facing some personal issue in family before coming into the office that morning, it’s not the best time to raise a query before him. 

SQ, or spiritual quotient, underlines IQ and EQ. Spiritual intelligence is an ability to access higher meanings, values, abiding purposes, and unconscious aspects of the self and to be surround by these meanings, values, and purposes in living richer and more creative lives. Signs of high SQ include an ability to think out of the box, humility, and an access to energies that come from something beyond the ego, beyond concerns of I, me, myself.

All of us at some points do get in touch with that higher self. Researchers say that 70 percent of adults throughout the world, regardless of culture, education, or background, have had what they call “peak experiences.” Peak experiences are those moments when you suddenly feel that everything is beautiful, that there’s a super link of yourself with the surrounding,  that love fills the world. You really feel them with your whole being, and then they flash by and are gone. Often people are shaken by having these experiences and don’t talk about them. These are called spiritual peak experiences; they are often described as superior moments of pure joy and elation. These are moments that stand out from everyday events. The memory of such events is lasting, and people often link them to a spirituality.  

I narrate here one story from Mahabharat which shows how IQ, EQ and SQ are connected and how powerful spiritual faith is in every living being’s lives. Here the story talks about Krishna’s IQ and EQ led by compassions and a tiny bird’s spiritual faith in Lord Krishna.

The battlefield of Kurukshetra was being prepared to facilitate the movement of mammoth armies with large cavalries. Areas were marked for rival camps. Huge bundles of wood were organized to cook food for a sea of an army. Trees were being felled by elephants to clear the ground. On one such tree lived a sparrow, a mother of four young ones. As the tree was knocked down, her nest landed on the ground along with her offspring who were too young to fly. Miraculously they all fell on ground unscathed.

The vulnerable and frightened mother sparrow saw Krishna scanning the field with Arjuna. They were there to physically examine the battlefield and devise strategies. She flapped her tiny wings with all her might to reach Krishna’s chariot. She pleaded before Krishna “Please save my children, else they will be crushed tomorrow”.  “The wheel of Time moves indiscriminately,” Krishna spoke like an ordinary man implying that there wasn’t anything he could do about it. The sparrow told Krishna she is surrendering to him and its HIS responsibility to save her tiny children and herself. Krishna told her to stock her nest for three weeks. Unaware of the conversation, Arjuna was trying to shoo away the sparrow when Krishna smiled at the bird.

Two days later, just before the conchs were blown to announce the commencement of the battle, Krishna asked Arjuna for his bow and an arrow. Arjuna was shocked because Krishna had vowed that he would not lift any weapon in the war. Besides, Arjuna believed that he was the best archer out there, why is Krishna wanting the bow and arrow? Quietly taking the bow from Arjuna, Krishna took aim at an elephant. But, instead of bringing the animal down, the arrow hit the bell around its neck and sparks flew from it. Arjuna couldn’t contain his chuckle seeing that Krishna had missed an easy mark. Arjun asked Krishna why he shot at the elephant, Krishna answered that this elephant had knocked down the tree sheltering that sparrow’s nest. Arjun didn’t understand which sparrow, and though Krishna shot at the elephant, it was not harmed, Only the bell from elephant’s neck fell.

The war began and numerous lives were lost over the next eighteen days. The battlefield had turned red with blood, body parts scattered everywhere. The Pandavas won in the end. Once again, Krishna took Arjuna with him to traverse through the flushed field. Many corpses still lay there awaiting their funeral. The battleground was littered with severed limbs and heads, lifeless steeds and elephants. Krishna stopped at a certain spot and looked down thoughtfully at an elephant bell. He asked Arjun to lift the bell and put it aside.

The instruction, though simple, made little sense to Arjuna. After all, in the vast field where plenty of other things needed clearing, why would Krishna ask him to move a trivial piece of metal out of the way? He looked at him questioningly. Krishna reiterated. “It’s the same bell that had come off the neck of the elephant I had shot at.” Arjuna bent down to move the heavy bell without another question on his facial expression. As soon as he lifted it though, his world changed forever. One, two, three, four and five. Four young birds flew out one after another followed by the mother sparrow. The mother bird whirled in circles around Krishna, few times, in great joy and gratitude. The one bell Krishna had clung eighteen days ago protected the entire family. This is spirituality, this is faith!!!       

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 22^nd 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 22^nd 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.