India’s age-old tradition of pilgrimage is witnessing strong growth in the modern travel era. According to MakeMyTrip’s Pilgrimage Travel Trends 2024–25, pilgrimage tourism has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the country’s travel industry. Accommodation bookings across 56 pilgrimage destinations rose by 19% in FY24–25, with 34 locations showing double-digit growth and 15 destinations recording more than 25% growth.
The surge is visible across both established and emerging centres. Traditional hubs like Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Puri, Amritsar, and Tirupati continue to draw huge crowds, while newer hotspots such as Khatushyam Ji, Omkareshwar, and Thiruchendur are also gaining momentum. This rising demand has triggered a supply boom—over one-third of all hotel rooms in pilgrimage towns have been added in the last three years, with premium accommodations expanding even faster.
Pilgrimage travel is largely short and purpose-driven. More than half of travellers (53%) booked single-night stays, while only 11% stayed for three nights. Group travel plays a significant role, accounting for 47% of pilgrimage trips compared to 39% in leisure travel.
Premium options are becoming more popular as well. Bookings for rooms priced between ₹7,000 and ₹10,000 grew by 24%, while those above ₹10,000 rose by 23%. Homestays and alternate accommodations now make up nearly 10% of bookings. Last-minute planning remains a strong trend, with 63% of bookings made within six days of departure.
Over the past three years, pilgrimage towns have seen rapid expansion in accommodation options. More than a third of hotel rooms currently available were launched during this period, while premium properties accounted for 63% of new supply. Homestays, apartments, and hostels have also expanded quickly, as hosts respond to the growing demand.
Holiday packages reflect this trend too. In FY24–25, 52% of all MakeMyTrip holiday bookings were for pilgrimage-only trips, while 48% blended pilgrimage with leisure destinations. This points to a shift where more travellers are combining spirituality with leisure for a well-rounded experience.
Commenting on the findings, Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, said, “Pilgrimage travel has always been part of our culture, but what we see now is its scale and consistency across the country. Stronger connectivity and growing aspirations across all age groups are broadening expectations and prompting the industry to innovate for pilgrim travellers.”
To cater to this demand, MakeMyTrip has rolled out initiatives such as “Loved by Devotees,” a curated collection of hotels near popular shrines. The company has also spotlighted over 200 festivals across 56 spiritual hubs and offers more than 600 packages designed for both pure pilgrimage and combined pilgrimage-leisure holidays.