SACRED JOURNEY: UTTARAKHAND AN EMERGING HUB FOR RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL NICHE TOURISM IN INDIA

Abstract: Uttarakhand is famously known as the land of Gods and has numerous religious destinations and spiritual centers. Although the State has unique distinctiveness regarding aesthetic beauty and natural therapeutic landscapes, it has yet to promote itself as a hub for religious and spiritual niche tourism. The study is qualitative based on secondary data. The study is explanatory in nature that explains the causes and consequences of the emergence of spiritual and religious tourism in Uttarakhand. It aims to analyze its potential to creation of hub and evaluate the motivations of pilgrims. It undertakes Swoc analysis and assess the socio-economic and environmental impact.