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Pilgrimage travel is seeing strong growth across India, with accommodation bookings at 56 spiritual destinations rising by 19% in FY24-25, according to a new report by MakeMyTrip. The report found that 34 destinations recorded double-digit growth, while 15 grew by more than 25%, highlighting the increasing popularity of faith-based travel .

Popular destinations such as Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Puri, Amritsar and Tirupati continue to attract visitors, while places including Khatushyam Ji, Omkareshwar and Thiruchendur are also witnessing rising demand.

The report found that more than 63% of bookings are made within six days of travel, showing that many pilgrims continue to plan trips at the last minute. Most travellers also prefer short visits, with 53% opting for single-night stays and 31% staying for two nights.

Group travel remains a key feature of pilgrimage journeys, with 47% of bookings made by groups, compared with 38.9% for leisure travel. Premium accommodation is also becoming more popular, with bookings for rooms priced between ₹7,000 and ₹10,000 increasing by 24%, while bookings above ₹10,000 rose by 23%.

Commenting on the findings, Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and Group CEO, 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."

The report also found that nearly 48% of holiday package bookings now combine pilgrimage with leisure destinations, reflecting a growing preference for holidays that blend spiritual experiences with sightseeing