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India’s spiritual tourism is on the rise, with domestic and international tourists increasingly drawn to the country’s rich cultural and religious heritage. Recent accommodation search data from Global Digital Travel Platform, Global Digital Travel Platform, highlights a growing trend in spiritual travel during the last quarter of the year, reflecting India’s timeless appeal as a center for cultural exploration and spiritual rejuvenation.

Increase in spiritual travel trends

Between October and December 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, Agoda reported a 4% and 10% increase in local searches for spiritual destinations across India. This increase reflects tourists’ evolving preferences for more meaningful and immersive experiences, especially during the festive season, when spiritual and cultural traditions take center stage.

Krishna Rathi, Senior Country Director for India Subcontinent and MEA at AGO, commented, “The year-end festive season offers an ideal opportunity for tourists to connect with India’s rich spiritual and cultural traditions. This growing interest in spiritual destinations reflects tourists’ desires for enriching travel that goes beyond simple leisure travel.”

Top Domestic Spiritual Places

Southern cities of India have emerged as leading spiritual destinations for domestic tourists:

• Bangalore: Known as the Garden City, Bangalore is not only a tech hub but also a spiritual haven. It is home to iconic temples such as the ISKCON Temple and the Bull Temple, which offer tranquility amidst the urban energy of the city.
• Hyderabad: With landmarks like the Mecca Masjid and the Birla Temple, the city of pearls is steeped in spiritual heritage, attracting visitors for their architectural splendor and spiritual significance.
• Chennai: As a cultural and spiritual hub, Chennai draws visitors to places like the Kapaleswara Temple and St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, blending the city’s historical and spiritual narratives.

These cities form a spiritual cluster in South India, combining tranquility with cultural richness, which becomes increasingly popular during the festive season.

Top International Spiritual Destinations in India

For inbound tourists, the attraction of India’s spiritual destinations lies in their deep-rooted traditions and historical significance. Agoda’s data shows that:

• Kochi: This coastal city of Kerala offers a unique blend of spiritual heritage with landmarks like the Santa Cruz Basilica and the Paradeshi Synagogue. Its rich history and cultural diversity make it a favorite for international visitors.
• Varanasi: Widely known as the spiritual capital of India, Varanasi attracts tourists from all over the world to experience the holy river Ganga and experience the evening aarti ceremony at Dasashwamedh Ghat.

International tourists, particularly from the USA, Singapore, Japan and Australia, contributed to increased interest in India’s unique combination of spirituality and culture during the festive period.

Agoda: Gateway to Enriching Experiences

Agoda’s extensive offerings have played a major role in facilitating travel to these destinations. By providing access to a vast network of accommodation, flights and curated activities, the platform enables seamless booking experiences for travelers seeking spiritual journeys.

Travelers looking to explore this spiritual hub can take advantage of Agoda’s user-friendly platform, which simplifies the process of planning enriching tours. Whether it’s finding accommodation near iconic temples or booking flights and activities, Agoda ensures travelers can focus on their journey of discovery.

Insights into traveler preferences

The rankings and insights are based on Agoda accommodation searches made for check-ins during the final quarter of each year in September 2023 and September 2024. This data shows a steady increase in tourists’ interest in exploring India’s spiritual and cultural offerings.

India’s spiritual tourism boom

Growth in spiritual tourism aligns with broader trends in global travel, where more travelers are seeking meaningful, transformative experiences. India, with its centuries-old traditions and diverse religious heritage, is uniquely positioned to meet this demand. Places like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi and Varanasi not only offer spiritual solace but also provide a gateway to India’s living history, art and architecture.