Over 12 crore pilgrims and tourists visited the sacred city of Ayodhya in the first seven months of 2024, according to data released by the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Tourism Department on Wednesday.
The influx of visitors has surged since the inauguration of the grand Ram Temple on January 22 this year, drawing both domestic and international pilgrims and tourists. While other religious destinations in UP, such as Mathura, Prayagraj, and Varanasi, have also seen substantial growth in footfall, Ayodhya has recorded the highest numbers.
Mukesh Meshram, Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture Department in UP, shared updates on the rise in religious tourism and its impact on the state. He noted that UP’s holy cities are attracting visitors from distant countries, including the US and Canada.
In his remarks to the press, Meshram highlighted the enthusiasm among people to visit the newly constructed Ram Temple, where a long-held dream of visiting Lord Ram’s birthplace is becoming a reality for many.
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Speaking about the annual Deepotsav celebration in Ayodhya, Meshram mentioned that the event has now achieved global recognition. “This year, we aim to light 2.5 million diyas, setting a new world record,” he said, adding that Ram Lilas from different countries have been invited to participate in the festivities. The celebration will also feature a grand procession and various cultural displays.
To accommodate the influx of visitors during the festival, new seating galleries are being built along the riverbanks.
Meanwhile, Varanasi, which attracted 10.5 crore tourists last year, has already welcomed 5.45 crore visitors in the first seven months of 2024. Similarly, Mathura saw 5.5 crore, and Prayagraj 4.5 crore visitors during this period, reflecting the growing global interest in UP’s rich cultural and religious heritage.
Meshram also spoke about the upcoming preparations for the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, highlighting plans to develop old temples into tourist attractions and the construction of a world-class tent city for the event.
In addition, he emphasized the rapid development of religious and cultural hubs such as Mathura, Vrindavan, Chitrakoot, and Naimisharanya. He noted that the Vindhyavasini Corridor has been completed, and many other sacred sites are also undergoing major improvements.
“Since 2017, development work has been carried out at more than 650 locations across the state,” Meshram said, underscoring the government’s dedication to enhancing UP’s religious and cultural tourism infrastructure.
