Pilgrimage Travel Sees Strong Growth Across India

Pilgrimage travel in India has recorded sharp growth in the past year, with new trends reshaping how Indians plan and experience spiritual journeys. According to MakeMyTrip’s Pilgrimage Travel Trends 2024-25, accommodation bookings across 56 pilgrimage destinations grew by 19 per cent in FY24-25.

The report shows broad-based momentum, 34 destinations registered double-digit growth and 15 destinations grew by more than 25 per cent. Major centres such as Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Puri, Amritsar and Tirupati continued to expand, while smaller destinations like Khatushyam Ji in Rajasthan, Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh and Thiruchendur in Tamil Nadu also reported strong demand.

Short, Purpose-Led Stays

Pilgrimage trips remain short. More than half of all travellers (53 per cent) opted for single-night visits, compared to 45 per cent in leisure travel. Two-night stays made up 31 per cent of trips, while three-night visits accounted for 11 per cent. Journeys of four nights or longer together contributed less than 5 per cent of bookings.

Another clear trend is late planning. Nearly two out of three pilgrimage bookings were made within six days of departure, showing that Indian travellers continue to book at the last minute across categories.

Growth in Group Travel

Pilgrimage remains a collective activity. Group bookings accounted for 47 per cent of pilgrimage trips, compared with 38.9 per cent in leisure destinations. Families, friends and community groups continue to travel together in larger numbers for religious purposes.

Spending Patterns

While budget accommodation still dominates, the report highlights the growing demand for premium stays. About 71 per cent of bookings were for rooms priced below Rs 4,500 a night. However, bookings for rooms in the Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 range rose by 24 per cent, and those above Rs 10,000 increased by 23 per cent.

Alternative accommodation is also gaining acceptance. Homestays and apartments contributed nearly 10 per cent of room night bookings at pilgrimage destinations.

Expansion of Supply

Accommodation supply has grown sharply. More than one-third of all hotel rooms at pilgrimage destinations were launched in the past three years. Premium supply has expanded even faster, with 63 per cent of today’s premium inventory added during the same period. Homestays, apartments and hostels have also multiplied, reflecting both new supply and existing properties coming online to meet demand.

Blending Pilgrimage with Leisure

Another shift is the way travellers combine spiritual travel with holidays. In FY24-25, over 52 per cent of holiday package bookings on MakeMyTrip were for pilgrimage-led destinations alone. The remaining 48 per cent were from travellers combining pilgrimage with leisure destinations in the same itinerary.

Festivals Drive Bookings

Festivals remain important drivers of demand. MakeMyTrip has highlighted more than 200 festivals across 56 pilgrimage destinations, helping travellers plan their trips around key religious events. The company has also introduced Loved by Devotees, a curated collection of hotels and homestays chosen for their proximity to places of worship and traveller-friendly amenities.

Speaking about the Pilgrimage Travel Trends 2024-25, Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip, said, “Pilgrimage Travel has always been part of our culture, but what we see now is its scale and consistency across the country. We are seeing steady growth, fuelled by stronger connectivity and Indians across all age groups and income segments planning pilgrimage-led trips. This growing demand is broadening traveller expectations and prompting the industry to innovate in ways that better serve the unique needs of the pilgrim traveller.”