Spiritual Tourist: Mahakumbh Attracts Over Four Crore Pilgrims, Millennials Lead The Way

The pursuit to find the joys of life took Elizabeth Gilbert (Julia Roberts) to small pizzerias tucked away in Italy's towns, ashrams and lush landscapes in Eat, Pray, Love.

The bustling beauty of Italy, the tranquil spirituality of India and the lively beaches of Bali gave Elizabeth much more than the answers she set out to find. These types of journeys continue to be taken as Atlys, a visa processing platform, reports a 21.4% increase in inbound travel to India for spiritual purposes.

Over the past decade, global interest in spiritual tourism has steadily risen, positioning India at the forefront with its rich spiritual heritage and diverse cultural tapestry. As people embark on these journeys for various reasons, major festivals like the Mahakumbh continue to drive up the numbers of the travellers.

The bubbling wanderlust paired with spirituality has gotten more young people catching flights. The wandering feet of millennials have taken them to spiritual destinations now more than ever, according to the report. Women travellers account for 66% of millennial travel and there was a 35% surge in group travels, according to the report.

Nearly 48% of all spiritual travel visa applications are linked to major events like the Mahakumbh, showcasing the global fascination with India’s spiritual heritage. The sacred trinity of Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Haridwar continues to be the most popular destination for spiritual tourists.

The sacred trinity of Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Haridwar continues to dominate destination preferences, according to the report. India’s spiritual legacy has always captured global attention, but we’re now seeing an embrace of these sacred journeys by travellers seeking both adventure and self-discovery, said Mohak Nahta, founder and CEO of Atlys.

The Mahakumbh, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, attracts approximately 42 million pilgrims from a global scale. The data reveals that nearly half of all spiritual travel visa applications are linked to events and pilgrimages like the Mahakumbh. The international interest is driven by applications from travellers in the UK and the US.

The Mahakumbh and similar festivals are no longer just for traditional pilgrims; they’re appealing to a broader audience looking for meaningful experiences, he added.