Since 2021, when 1.57 crore domestic tourists visited the temple town, Ayodhya has seen a transformation from a drab town to a popular religious tourism destination. Kashi and Ayodhya have become popular tourist sites for Indians as a result of Yogi Adityanath’s government’s promotion of Uttar Pradesh as a center for religious tourism, whereas Taj City-Agra remains to be the most popular destination in India for foreign visitors.

According to the tourism administration, 1.57 crore domestic tourists visited the temple town in 2021, demonstrating Ayodhya’s transformation from a forgettable village to a popular religious tourism destination.

Now on WhatsApp, we are. Join by clicking. In 2022, as the Ram temple construction advanced, Ayodhya saw a significant rise in domestic tourism. 2.39 billion domestic tourists and 1,465 foreign travelers will visit in 2022 went to Ayodhya. The BJP government, which took office in Uttar Pradesh in March 2017, had made the temple town one of its top priorities.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the $339 million Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project on December 13, 2021, Varanasi known as the home of Lord Shiva—underwent a significant alteration.

Prior to the opening, in 2021, Varanasi welcomed 30,75,913 domestic visitors and 2,566 overseas visitors. But in 2022, when Kashi had a turnout of 7.11 crore domestic tourists and 83,741 foreigners, there was a significant increase in this figure.

One of the most popular tourist attractions for Indians is Prayagraj, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati meet. However, this is because of the numerous religious gatherings that occur in Sangam city each year. 2.55 billion domestic tourists and 1,895 foreign tourists visited Sangam city in 2022.

The Taj Mahal, India’s most popular tourist attraction, is located in Agra on the banks of the Yamuna River and is known as the “Mausoleum of Love.” In 2022, the city welcomed 91,24,669 domestic visitors and 3,45,998 overseas tourists.

With 31.791 crore visits by domestic tourists in 2022, Uttar Pradesh surpassed Tamil Nadu to claim the top spot, accounting for 18.37% of all domestic travel in the top 10 states.

According to Mukesh Kumar Meshram, senior secretary for tourism and culture for the UP government, “With its rich history, diverse cultural heritage, and breathtaking landscapes, Uttar Pradesh continues to attract visitors not only from across the country, but also from all corners of the globe.”

Source- Hindustan times
Link- https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/kashi-and-ayodhya-emerge-tourism-magnets-agra-still-first-choice-for-foreign-visitors-in-india-101695754994232.html