A Review of Religious Tourism in India

Religious tourism in India represents one of the oldest and most significant forms of travel, deeply rooted in the country’s cultural and spiritual traditions. As the birthplace of major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and home to Islam, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism, India offers a diverse spiritual geography. Ancient scriptures like the Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, and epics describe the sacredness of Indian land, highlighting mountains, rivers, and shrines as divine abodes. The presence of pilgrimage centers such as the Char Dham, Kashi, Bodh Gaya, Golden Temple, Velankanni, and Ajmer Sharif reflects the confluence of faiths. Religious tourism not only strengthens spiritual devotion but also promotes cultural identity, interfaith harmony, and economic growth through pilgrim circuits and festivals. This paper explores the historical roots, major circuits, mythological significance, cultural and economic impacts, modern initiatives, and challenges of religious tourism in India. The analysis highlights India’s unique role as a spiritual destination and suggests strategies to enhance the sector sustainably