6 hrs ago
Faith Drives Nearly Half of India’s Overnight Trips
A government survey found that almost half of Indians’ overnight trips are for religious reasons.
People may travel to pray, visit a sacred place or follow a family tradition.
Some younger travelers also explore the history, food and architecture around religious sites.
The survey covered more than 246,000 households.
Uttar Pradesh had the largest share of overnight visitor-trips among the states listed.
Most overnight visitors stayed for five days or less.
People use different ways to travel, including buses and trains.
Travelers and tour operators say that clean places to stay, easy transport and rest areas matter, especially for older people.
A government survey says pilgrimage and religious purposes account for nearly 48% of domestic overnight trips.
The Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey covered more than 246,000 households between July 2025 and June 2026.
Uttar Pradesh accounted for 15.7% of domestic overnight visitor-trips, followed by Tamil Nadu at 13.4% and Rajasthan at 8%.
According to the survey, 80% of overnight visitors stayed five days or less, and trips averaged around two visitors.
The article says travelers increasingly seek convenient transport, comfortable stays and facilities suited to older visitors.
- Who
- Indian domestic travelers, including pilgrims and their families.
- What
- A government survey found that nearly 48% of domestic overnight trips were for pilgrimage and religious purposes.
- Where
- Across rural and urban India; Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan had the largest stated shares of domestic overnight visitor-trips.
- When
- The survey was conducted from July 2025 to June 2026.
- Why
- Travelers go for religious purposes, family traditions, important occasions and personal meaning.
Key facts
- Survey
- Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey
- Conducted by
- Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
- Survey period
- July 2025 to June 2026
- Households covered
- More than 2.46 lakh across rural and urban India
- Religious and pilgrimage trips
- Nearly 48% of domestic overnight trips
- State shares
- Uttar Pradesh 15.7%; Tamil Nadu 13.4%; Rajasthan 8% of domestic overnight visitor-trips
- Trip duration
- 80% of overnight visitors stayed for five days or less
- Average trip size
- Around two visitors per overnight trip
Quotes
Sujata Gaikwad
A senior citizen traveller.
“Religious tourism has always been a strong segment for us, but travellers are becoming more particular about convenience. They want comfortable transport, good accommodation and well-planned darshan, especially when travelling with senior citizens.”
deccanchronicle.com
“When we travel for pilgrimage, comfort matters. We may not need luxury, but we need clean accommodation, easy transport and places where senior citizens can rest.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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