A Study on Potential and Prospects of Pilgrimage Tourism in Puducherry

Pilgrimage tourism is an ancient form of tourism, which involves a journey to a sacred, holy, divine, religious or pilgrimage places or destinations for seeking of blessings, fulfilment of religious vows or personal faith, belief and affinity with a deity or divine. Furthermore, pilgrimage destinations play a crucial role for rejuvenation of mind, body and spirit of the tourist. Thereby, enhances the peace, tranquillity, health and wellbeing of the pilgrimage tourist. This paper aims to study the potential and prospects of pilgrimage tourism in Puducherry, due to existence of a variety of pilgrimage tourist destinations with rich culture, heritage and spiritual significance. Further, pilgrimage tourism plays a significant role in economic growth, inclusive growth and sustainable development in Puducherry, which ultimately benefits the local community peoples and various stakeholders in Puducherry.