As summer vacations approach and the revered festivals of Ram Navami and Navratri loom, Uttar Pradesh's religious hubs—Varanasi, Mathura, and Ayodhya
As summer vacations approach and the revered festivals of Ram Navami and Navratri loom, Uttar Pradesh’s religious hubs—Varanasi, Mathura, and Ayodhya—experience an overwhelming surge of pilgrims. Notably, Varanasi witnessed an unparalleled pilgrimage of 95.63 lakh devotees in March, converging to seek blessings at the Kashi Vishwanath shrine.
With meticulous preparations underway, the inaugural Navratri festival in Ayodhya promises to be a grand spectacle, particularly following the sanctification of the Ram Lalla deity earlier this year. Anticipation runs high as the event is poised to attract a substantial congregation of spiritual seekers from across the nation.
Historically, the month of Sawan witnesses a similar congregation at the Kashi Vishwanath shrine. Likewise, Ayodhya witnessed a daily influx exceeding two lakh visitors at the newly erected Ram Mandir and Hanuman Garhi temples in March. In Mathura-Vrindavan, the influx began 15 days prior to Holi and continues unabated. Consequently, pilgrims are exploring accommodations as far as Agra due to the saturated hotel, ashram, and guesthouse capacities.
The burgeoning demand for Darshan at Ayodhya’s Ram Lalla temple has catalyzed an uptick in flight operations from the recently inaugurated airport. Currently, Ayodhya operates 24 daily flights, with some routes serviced bi-weekly or quad-weekly, including the newly introduced Hyderabad route. Flights to Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad have been operational since earlier phases.
Presently, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi registers the highest footfall among religious landmarks in Uttar Pradesh. Post the construction of the new corridor, there’s been a marked upswing in tourist footfall. Notably, donations to the temple have surged significantly. On March 31, contributions totaled Rs. 83.34 crores for the fiscal year, marking a 42.43% rise compared to the previous year’s Rs. 58.51 crores. Prior to the corridor’s inception, donations averaged Rs. 26 crores till the 2019-20 fiscal year. March’s donations alone set a record, amassing Rs. 11.14 crores, according to temple authorities.
The state’s religious tourism hubs are witnessing an unprecedented resurgence, signaling a post-pandemic revival in pilgrimage and an enduring spiritual zeal among devotees.
Prakhar Mishra, Director of Tourism, harbors lofty expectations concerning recent infrastructural advancements, encompassing the Ram Lalla Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, and the Mathura-Vrindavan Corridor. He envisions these architectural marvels not merely attracting national tourists but also invigorating local markets, especially those aligned with the One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative.
Mishra postulates that these initiatives will shatter previous records in tourist footfall, luring visitors keen to delve into Uttar Pradesh’s rich cultural and religious legacy. Additionally, the augmented connectivity and amenities engendered by these projects are poised to catalyze a domino effect in the local economy, augmenting demand for indigenous goods and services. This virtuous cycle is anticipated to foster employment opportunities, offering indirect sustenance to the local community.
In summation, Mishra envisions a multifaceted transformation catalyzed by these endeavors, wherein tourism not only facilitates cultural interchange and economic prosperity but also acts as a potent catalyst for communal development and empowerment.
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