Shri Swami Samartha Akkalkot A Pilgrimage Tourism: Its Role in the Tourism Development of Solapur District

Abstract: The pilgrimage tourism India has renowned culture and long historic tradition to visit religious destinations. Every year there are augmentation in the number of tourists as well as overseas tourists to pressure their spiritual needs. Pilgrimage or religious tourism leads to economic prosperity in revenue generation and pave the way for sustainable development in economic and social spheres of the region. They help to capture attention and promote attractions and infrastructures. They make it possible to maximize and rationalize the use of certain spaces. Preservation of these spaces may result in financial benefits. Shri Swami Samartha festival, Akkalkot is important festival in Solapur district of Maharashtra state. Present research paper is analyzed importance of Shri Swami Samarth pilgrimage tourism center in Solapur district tourism development. Every year the number of visitors increasing rapidly to visit Akkalkot for Shri Swami Samartha darshanas. In the development of tourism in Solapur district Akkalkot festival plays important role and around many tourism centers are developed.