Religious tourism in Uttar Pradesh with special reference to Kashi & Ayodhya

Prateek kumar Pandey, Research Assistant at Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan (SSS)

 Abstract

This paper looks into the phenomenon through a case study of Kashi, an ancient city situated on the bank of river Ganga in Northern India, which has great significance in the Hindu religion and serves as a prominent pilgrimage destination. Religious tourism in India has emerged as a significant driver of economic growth and for the exchange of Culture, with temples serving as pivotal attractions for millions of pilgrims and tourists annually. In this paper, we seek to investigate the role of temples in fostering regional development in temple cities: Ayodhya and Kashi (Varanasi). By examining the socio-economic impacts of temples in the regions, this research aims to contribute to have understanding of the linkages between religious tourism and regional development in India, especially in these two cities of Uttar Pradesh.

1. Introduction

Religious tourism is a significant component of the tourism industry, contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of regions with prominent religious sites. In India, Uttar Pradesh stands out as a key destination for religious tourism, attracting millions of pilgrims annually to its sacred cities, notably Ayodhya and Varanasi (Shinde, 2012). These cities are not only spiritual hubs but also hold immense historical and cultural significance, making them focal points for both domestic and international tourists (Singh, 2015).

Tourism in the present time has assumed great significance in terms of national income, employment opportunities, socio-economic benefits, and means to exchange rich cultures and historical heritage. To understand the importance of tourism, we looked at the data from the Ministry of Tourism which shows that foreign tourists in India increased from 1.6 million to 6 million in 2022. Additionally, India earned INR 1,34,543 Crore of foreign exchange from tourism.

In terms of domestic tourism, it has been seen that there is significant and exponential growth in the number of tourists. According to the Ministry of Tourism, in 2022, the number of Domestic Tourist Visits to all States/UTs in India surged to 1,731 million, marking a significant growth from 677 million in 2021.

According to Smith, the term ‘religious tourism’ refers to travel that is primarily inspired by spiritual beliefs. ‘Religious tourism’ serves as one of the oldest religious practices as well as one of the earliest examples of tourism (Timothy, 2011). Due to the sacred places that are dispersed throughout its vast geographic area, India, which is known for its rich heritage and culture, has attracted attention from throughout the world (Eck, 2011; Singh, 2013). India, is a well-known place for religious tourism, due to its distinct religious places, like Ayodhya, Kashi, Vrindavan, Ujjain, and Tirupati, etc.

Uttar Pradesh, with its rich tapestry of religious heritage, has long been a pivotal destination for pilgrims from various faiths. Ayodhya, revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama, and Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and a major center for Hindu rituals, are at the heart of this phenomenon (Rana & Singh, 2020). Religious tourism in these cities not only fosters spiritual enrichment but also drives local economies by generating revenue, creating jobs, and promoting infrastructural development (Mishra & Mishra, 2019).

2. Review of Literature

Religious tourism, also known as pilgrimage tourism, is a significant segment of the global tourism industry. It involves travel to sacred sites for spiritual fulfillment, religious activities, and cultural experiences (Rinschede, 1992). There has been a lot of research available on the significance of tourism. Timothy and Olsen (2006) have propounded how tourism and religion have become intertwined, with spirituality playing a crucial role. Badone and Roseman (2004) have chronicled the various aspects related to pilgrimage which have been intertwined with tourism over a period of time.

Manhas and Nair (2020) in their study titled “Strategic Role of Religious Tourism in Recuperating the Indian Tourism Sector Post-COVID-19,” Manhas and Nair explore the age-old tradition of religious travel. They emphasize that this practice is as ancient as human history itself. Throughout the ages, people have been drawn to spiritual destinations, driven by a deep-seated connection between their faith and the desire to explore. This timeless practice crosses cultural boundaries and has persisted through the ages, highlighting its significance in human life.

Jude et al. (2018) in the paper “Impact of Religious Tourism in Host Community: The Case of Awhum Monastery” by Jude and his colleagues sheds light on the dual impact of religious tourism. Initially, the Awhum monastery brought joy and development to its local community by creating jobs. However, a land dispute between the monastery and a nearby village eventually led to tension and skepticism among the locals. What was once a source of pride turned into a source of conflict, overshadowing the earlier benefits of the monastery.

Verma and Sarangi (2019) pointed out a gap in the research concerning the factors that influence tourist satisfaction and loyalty to religious tourism. To address this, they developed a comprehensive framework to examine the relationships among motivation, service quality, safety, satisfaction, and even loyalty. They conducted a detailed survey in the Mela area, gathering insights from 2,326 respondents using structured questionnaires.

Gupta and Gahalot (2023) in their study, Gupta and Gahalot observed a significant transformation in the journey to Vrindavan. Traditionally a pilgrimage, Vrindavan has evolved into a vacation and recreational hub. This shift has created intriguing opportunities for investors and developers, leading to increased urbanization and a departure from the conventional pilgrimage rituals that once defined the area.

Budovich (2023) in his research uses quantitative analysis to highlight the significant impact of religious tourism on Russia’s economy and tourism industry. This study underscores the importance of religious tourism and calls for cultural and tourism policymakers to pay closer attention to its potential benefits.

The economic impact of religious tourism has been a subject of considerable research. Studies have shown that religious tourism contributes significantly to local economies by generating income, creating employment opportunities, and promoting infrastructural development (Mishra & Mishra, 2019). In Varanasi, for instance, religious tourism has been linked to the growth of ancillary industries such as hospitality, transportation, and retail (Rana & Singh, 2020).

A study by Shinde (2007) emphasized that religious tourism not only supports the local economy but also facilitates cultural exchange and preservation. Similarly, an analysis of pilgrimage tourism in the context of the Kumbh Mela highlighted its role in regional economic development through increased spending on services and goods by pilgrims (Bhardwaj, 2012).

Apart from the above literature, the religious tourism literature review is compiled in table format below, giving a comprehensive idea about previous research.

Serial Number	Title	Author Name	Year of Publication	Findings and Results	Conclusion
1	Ayodhya’s Ram Temple: Economic Implications	Bhattacharya, A.	2020	The construction of the Ram temple is expected to boost the local economy by creating jobs and supporting businesses.	Ayodhya’s development as a religious tourism hub is poised for economic growth.
2	Religious Tourism: A Panacea for Economic Development in India	Das, D., & Mukherjee, S.	2008	Religious tourism significantly contributes to economic development through revenue generation in various sectors.	Religious tourism is vital for India’s economic growth and requires strategic development.
3	Banaras: City of Light	Eck, D. L.	1982	Kashi (Varanasi) is a microcosm of Hinduism, deeply embedded in religious practices and rituals.	Varanasi remains a crucial site for understanding Hindu religious life and tourism.
4	Pollution and Religious Tourism: The Case of Varanasi	Ghosh, A.	2018	Pollution remains a major challenge for Varanasi, affecting the holy Ganges and the city’s appeal to tourists.	Addressing pollution is crucial for sustaining Varanasi’s religious tourism appeal.
5	Infrastructure Development in Ayodhya: Post-Verdict	Kumar, R.	2020	Post-verdict development plans in Ayodhya include infrastructure improvements to handle increased pilgrim traffic.	Infrastructure development in Ayodhya is essential for accommodating the anticipated rise in pilgrims.
6	Tourism Statistics at a Glance	Ministry of Tourism	2019	Provides statistical data on tourism trends and patterns in India.	Comprehensive data helps in understanding and planning for tourism development.
7	Myth and Reality of Ayodhya: A Historical Perspective	Mittal, S.	2006	Ayodhya holds significant mythological importance, influencing its cultural and religious tourism.	Ayodhya’s cultural and religious significance is key to its tourism potential.
8	Managing Religious Tourism in Ayodhya	Rai, M.	2021	Managing the surge of pilgrims in Ayodhya requires strategic planning to preserve heritage and accommodate visitors.	Effective management is needed to balance heritage preservation with tourism growth in Ayodhya.
9	The Ram Janmabhoomi Verdict: Implications for Ayodhya	Rajagopal, K.	2020	The Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi case has implications for religious tourism and local development.	Legal and administrative decisions significantly impact religious tourism dynamics.
10	Integrating Technology in Religious Tourism	Sarkar, S.	2020	Technology can enhance the pilgrimage experience and improve crowd management in religious tourism.	Integrating technology can optimize religious tourism management and visitor experience.
11	The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor: A Case Study	Sharma, P.	2021	The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project aims to enhance the pilgrimage experience by improving infrastructure.	The corridor project exemplifies efforts to modernize and enhance pilgrimage infrastructure.
12	Hindu Pilgrimage: Shifting Patterns of World-View of Holiness	Singh, R. P. B.	2010	Hindu pilgrimage patterns are shifting, reflecting changes in societal values and religious practices.	Changes in pilgrimage patterns highlight evolving religious practices and tourism trends.
13	Economic Benefits of Religious Tourism: Insights from Varanasi	Sinha, R.	2019	Religious tourism in Varanasi supports various economic activities, boosting  the local economy.	Religious tourism is a key driver of economic activities in Varanasi.

Created by the author based on the available literature

3. Research Gap:

There is a lot of research available on tourism in India and its importance for the country. Despite extensive research on religious tourism, several gaps remain. Firstly, there is limited comparative analysis of the economic impacts of religious tourism between different cities, such as Ayodhya and Varanasi. Moreover, existing literature often overlooks the challenges faced by local communities in managing the influx of tourists, such as infrastructural strain and cultural commoditization (Kumar & Pandey, 2020)

This work is to bridge the gap that exists in literature. In this, we will study the tourism sector in Uttar Pradesh from 2010-2022, in which we see the different statistics related to Uttar Pradesh and the growth that occurred in tourism in these years. Further, this study focuses on the extent of religious tourism in the Uttar Pradesh with a special focus on Ayodhya and Kashi (Varanasi). This study will go further on the impact of religious tourism in these cities on income, employment generation, and economic growth. It will lead to the increased social welfare of that region and bring economic development.

4. Research Methodology:

This study employs a quantitative research design to analyze the economic impact of religious tourism in Ayodhya and Varanasi. This study is based on mainly secondary data including numerous research work related to religious tourism, especially government reports published by ministries and different organizations. This work covered dissertations, research papers, various websites, newspapers, and travel magazines on religious tourism. The quantitative approach allows for objective measurement and analysis of data, enabling robust conclusions about the economic impact of religious tourism.

5. Sources of Secondary Data

The study relies on a variety of secondary data sources to ensure a thorough and multifaceted analysis.

Government Reports: These include publications from the Ministry of Tourism, the Government of India, and state tourism departments. Reports such as the “India Tourism Statistics” and the “Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy” provide valuable insights into tourist arrivals, revenues generated, and government initiatives to promote religious tourism.

Tourism Department Statistics: Detailed statistics from the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department offer data on the number of visitors, seasonal trends, and tourist demographics. These statistics help in understanding the flow and distribution of tourists in Ayodhya and Varanasi.

Academic Studies: Previous research articles, dissertations, and theses provide contextual and analytical perspectives on religious tourism. Studies focusing on the economic, social, and cultural impacts of tourism in Ayodhya and Varanasi are particularly relevant.

6. Research Objectives:
7. To explore religious tourism in two districts of Uttar Pradesh (Ayodhya and Kashi).
8. To understand the growth of religious tourism in Kashi (Varanasi) and Ayodhya (Faizabad) from year.
9. To know what is the impact of religious tourism on socio-economic indicators in Uttar Pradesh with reference to Kashi (Varanasi) and Ayodhya.

 State profile of Uttar Pradesh

Author’s depiction of map of Uttar Pradesh using Coral draw

STATE PROFILE

UTTAR PRADESH

Total Population	: 199812341
Total Area (km2)	240928
Population density (Per/km2)	829
Net sown area (1000 Hectares)	16368
Male Literacy (7 yrs and above)	77.3
Female Literacy (7 yrs and above)	57.2
Total Literacy (7 yrs and above)	67.7

The state of Uttar Pradesh has produced many great artists, musicians, writers, scholars, politicians, and national leaders. Uttar Pradesh is a northern landlocked state and shares its international border with Nepal and domestically with Delhi, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.

Uttar Pradesh has a population of 19.98 Crore (As per Census 2011) and a total area of 2.40 lakh sq km. Of the total population, 4.44 Crore (nearly 22%) people reside in urban areas and the remaining 15.53 Crore (nearly 78%) in rural areas, which is lower than the all India level of urban population at 31 percent. The population density of the state is 829 per sq. Km which is higher than the national average of 368 per sq. Km. The literacy rate is 67.72 percent in the state. In which male literacy is 77.3% and female literacy is 57.2%. The overall sex ratio is 912 females per 1000 males.

Varanasi

Kashi (Varanasi) is the oldest living city in the world. To quote Mark Twain, “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” Varanasi (Kashi) is situated on the bank of the ancient river Ganga, a sacred pilgrim spot for Hindus, as it is said one who graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from birth and death.

Varanasi has a population of 3,676,841 (As per Census 2011) and a total area of 1535 Sq. Km. Of the total population, 1,597,051 people reside in urban areas and the remaining 2,079,790 in rural areas.. The population density of the Varanasi is 2395 per.sq.km which is seven times higher than the national average of 368 per sq. Km and also state average of 829 per sq.km. The literacy rate is 75.60% in the district of Varanasi. In which male literacy is 83.77% (above than state’s 77.6) and female literacy is 66.69% (above than state’s 57.2%). The sex ratio is 913 females per 1000 males in Varanasi.

 Ayodhya (District Faizabad)

Ayodhya is a city situated on the banks of the ancient river Saryu. Ayodhya is considered as the land of Shri Ram, well document in our religious scriptures. It is the birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Ram, Ayodhya (Awadhpuri) has been regarded as one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus.

Ayodhya has a population of 2,470,996 (As per Census 2011) and a total area of 2,522 sq. Km. Of the total population, 21,30,743 people reside in rural areas and the remaining 3,40,253 in urban areas. The population density of the Ayodhya is 1056 per.sq.km which is much higher than the national average of 368 per sq. Km and also state average of 829 sq. km. Literacy rate in the district Ayodhya is 68.7 percent. In which male literacy is 78.1% (above than state’s 77.6%) and female literacy is 59.0% (above than state’s 57.2%). The sex ratio is 931 females per 1000 males in Ayodhya.

8. Tourism Profile of Ayodhya and Varanasi

• Growth in Tourist arrival

Tourism in Uttar Pradesh has increased significantly. In Ayodhya and Varanasi, the number of tourist arrivals has increased rapidly. In the year 1981, tourist arrivals were 22 lakhs and 11.66 lakhs in Ayodhya and Varanasi, and in 2022 it increased to 2.39 crore in Ayodhya and 7.17 crore in Varanasi. This shows the average annual growth rate of 9.8% and 6.4 % respectively for Ayodhya and Varanasi.

After 2014, there was a significant push for the government at central and state governments to boost religious tourism in India. The table below depicts the total tourist arrival in these two cities from year (2016- 2022). Based on that, a graph is plotted. It shows that there has been upward trend for growth in tourist arrival in the last seven years, except for the year 2020; it is due to Covid-19 induced disruption. The pandemic caused the lockdown and affected the tourism sector.

After that, in 2021 onwards there is a significant increase in tourist arrival, and in Varanasi, the tourist arrival increased more than 7 times compared to Covid-19 levels.

Year	Total Tourist arrival in Ayodhya	Total Tourist arrival in Varanasi
2016	2,18,04,393	1,75,11,717
2017	2,47,76,761	1,84,44,613
2018	2,85,03,743	2,00,83,978
2019	3,04,65,946	2,07,61,307
2020	87,88,908	88,93,239
2021	1,94,97,216	68,84,084
2022	2,39,10,479	7,17,01,816

Source- Directorate General of Tourism, U.P

Source: Author’s computation using UP tourism data, 2022

  8.2 Expenditure on Tourism

There is a problem related to the calculation of revenue from tourism because there is no district-level data available for revenue or income generated by tourism in Uttar Pradesh. For this, NSSO 72^nd round survey on “Domestic tourism expenditure” in India is taken. In Uttar Pradesh, 7,773 rural households and 5,858 urban households are surveyed. The table below is an attempt to estimate the total expenditure on tourism in different categories like holidaying, leisure and recreation, health, shopping, business, social, pilgrimage and religious activities, education and training, and others.

Ayodhya

Average expenditure per overnight trip by categories of expenditure done by Domestic and foreign tourists in Ayodhya in the year 2022
	Category	Expenditure (in Rs)	Category-Wise share of Tourists	Total tourists (in lakhs)	Total expenditure (in crore)
Completed during Last 365 days	holidaying, leisure & recreation	6358	13%	3108362	197.62
	health & medical	15336	22%	5260305	806.72
	shopping	13902	15%	3586572	498.60
completed during last 30 day	business	4455	1%	239104.8	10.65
	social	1068	45%	10759716	114.91
	pilgrimage & religious activities	2717	2%	478209.6	12.99
	education & training	2286	0.3	7173144	163.97
	others	2875	2%	478209.6	13.74
			100%	2,39,10,479	1819.24

Source: NSS Report No. 580, Domestic Tourism Survey of India

 Varanasi

 

Average expenditure per overnight trip by categories of expenditure done by Domestic and foreign tourists in Varanasi in the year 2022
	Category	Expenditure (in Rs)	Category-wise share of Tourists	Total tourists (in Lakhs)	Total expenditure (in Crore)
Completed during Last 365 days	holidaying, leisure & recreation	6358	13%	93.21	5,931.36
	health & medical	15336	22%	157.74	24,191.59
	shopping	13902	15%	107.55	14,958.21
completed during last 30 day	business	4455	1%	7.1	319.45
	social	1068	45%	322.65	3,444.38
	pilgrimage &     religious activities	2717	2%	14.34	389.63
	education & training	2286	0.3	215.10	4,915.05
	others	2875	2%	14.34	412.31
			100%	717.01	54,561.98

Source: NSS Report No. 580, Domestic Tourism Survey of India

The above table shows that tourism expenditure based on NSS data (2014-15), in Ayodhya for year 2022, is 1,819 Crore. The tourism expenditure of Varanasi for the year 2022 is 54,561 Crore. This shows the total expenditure of domestic tourists on various components of tourists. In this pilgrimage and religious activities component is 12.99 Crore and 389 Crore for Ayodhya and Varanasi respectively.

 8.3 Collection of Foreign Exchange

Tourism plays an important role in the collection of foreign exchange for the country. When the person comes to the country, he spends and consume the products of this country and thus India earns foreign exchange. There is no data available for the district level showing the foreign exchange of each district. But for the discussion purposes and see the growth of foreign exchange in Uttar Pradesh. The figure below shows the collections of foreign exchange.

9. Conclusion

This study aimed to analyze the economic impact of religious tourism in Ayodhya and Varanasi, two of Uttar Pradesh’s most prominent pilgrimage destinations. Through a detailed examination of tourist arrivals, tourism expenditure, employment in the tourism sector, and foreign exchange in previous years, the study provides comprehensive insights into the significance of religious tourism for local economies.

The study makes several important contributions to the literature on religious tourism. It provides empirical evidence of the economic benefits of religious tourism in Ayodhya and Varanasi, highlighting the critical role of tourism in local economic development. By comparing the two cities, the study also sheds light on the factors contributing to the disparities in tourism metrics, such as Varanasi’s more established infrastructure and diverse attractions.

Based on these findings, several policy recommendations are proposed. Policymakers should continue to support and invest in tourism infrastructure to enhance the tourist experience. This includes improving transportation networks, expanding accommodation facilities, and ensuring the maintenance of religious and cultural sites. Sustainable tourism practices should be prioritized to preserve the cultural and environmental integrity of these destinations. Efforts should also be made to promote Ayodhya and Varanasi through targeted marketing campaigns, emphasizing their unique religious and cultural significance.

For the tourism industry, stakeholders should capitalize on the growing number of tourists by offering diversified services and experiences. This includes developing new tourist attractions, enhancing service quality, and providing comprehensive tour packages that cater to various segments of tourists. Collaboration among local businesses, government agencies, and tourism operators can further strengthen the tourism sector and maximize its economic benefits.

Future research should focus on addressing the limitations of this study and exploring additional dimensions of religious tourism. This includes conducting qualitative studies to capture the socio-cultural impacts of tourism and examining the long-term sustainability of tourism growth. Comparative studies involving other religious tourism destinations in India and beyond can provide broader insights into the dynamics of religious tourism. Additionally, future research can explore the impact of major developments, such as the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, on tourism trends and economic outcomes.

In conclusion, religious tourism in Ayodhya and Varanasi plays a vital role in the economic development of these cities. By leveraging their rich cultural and religious heritage, these destinations can continue to attract tourists and reap substantial economic benefits. However, it is essential to balance tourism growth with sustainable practices to ensure the long-term preservation of their unique cultural and environmental assets. Through targeted investments, policy support, and collaborative efforts, Ayodhya and Varanasi can further enhance their status as leading religious tourism destinations and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of Uttar Pradesh.

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