Pilgrimage tourism involves the movement of people in groups or individually from one place to another in search of divine experience. Pilgrimage tourism encourages social unification of the scattered population. The study aims to analyze the impact created by Attungal pongala which happens every year in the southernmost Indian state, Kerala. This festival is a unique celebration of women's empowerment, community, and interfaith harmony. The festival has a significant impact on gender, community, tourism, and interfaith harmony. The festival is a unique example of how culture and tradition can be leveraged to promote social and economic development in the destination. It is concluded that the pilgrimage site attracts more female tourists, particularly in the 25-34 age group, with a majority of lower-income married visitors. It holds cultural and religious significance, emphasizing gender equality and sustainability, but there's room to promote religious harmony. Overall, it offers valuable insights into demographics, preferences, and areas for development.
Top1. Introduction
Pilgrimage tourism refers to travel undertaken by people for religious or spiritual reasons. It involves visiting sacred sites, such as holy shrines, temples, churches, and other places of worship, that hold significance in the pilgrim's faith or belief system. Pilgrimage tourism is an ancient practice and is still widely popular today. It is a way for people to connect with their spiritual beliefs and gain a deeper understanding of their faith. Many religious sites worldwide have become major pilgrimage destinations, attracting millions of visitors yearly. Pilgrimage tourism can also have significant economic and social impacts on local communities, as it often brings in considerable revenue and can stimulate the local economy. However, it can also create challenges in managing large crowds, preserving cultural heritage, and maintaining the spiritual sanctity of the sites. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, GoI, the number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting religious places in India has increased over the past ten years, with some fluctuations due to natural disasters, security concerns, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of the key statistics for pilgrimage tourism in India over the past ten years:
In 2011, the total number of domestic tourists visiting religious places in India was around 176 million. This number increased to about 233 million in 2019. In 2011, about 2.2 million foreign tourists visited sacred places in India. This number increased to around 3.3 million in 2019. The top 5 states for domestic tourist visits to religious sites in 2019 were Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Bihar. The top 5 states regarding foreign tourist visits to sacred places in 2019 were Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Rajasthan. In 2013, the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand was affected by flash floods, which led to a sharp decline in the number of tourists visiting the area. However, the number of tourists gradually increased in subsequent years, with around 2.5 million visiting the Kedarnath shrine in 2019. In 2016, the Indian government demonetized high-value currency notes, which led to a temporary dip in tourism, including pilgrimage tourism. However, the impact was short-lived, and the number of tourists visiting religious places increased in subsequent years. It's important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted tourism in general, including pilgrimage tourism, and has led to a decline in tourist arrivals in 2020. However, with the ongoing vaccination drive and the gradual easing of restrictions, pilgrimage tourism in India is expected to recover in the coming years.
As of 2021, according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, GoI, the number of tourists visiting religious places in India has been increasing. Here are some key statistics related to pilgrimage tourism in India. In 2019, the total number of foreign tourists visiting religious places in India was around 3.3 million. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India data reveals that the foreign exchange earnings from pilgrimage tourism in India in 2019 were approximately USD 5.9 billion. It represents a significant portion of the total tourism receipts in India. The top five states regarding foreign tourist visits to religious places in 2019 were Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Rajasthan. In 2019, the top five holy places visited by foreign tourists were the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, the Golden Temple in Punjab, the Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh, the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, and the Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra. The Indian government has launched several schemes to promote pilgrimage tourism, such as the Swadesh Darshan and Prashad schemes, which aim to develop infrastructure and amenities at pilgrimage sites.