How This Festival Is Reshaping India’s Religious Travel Sector — India Report
Photo Credit: Arial View of the Kumbh Mela at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. Pexels / Pankaj Chauhan
Skift Take
Mahakumbh 2025 is not just a spiritual gathering; it's a massive driver of India's religious tourism economy. It highlights how faith-based events can transform local infrastructure and spark partnerships among travel players.
The ongoing Mahakumbh Mela (Mahakumbh Fair) in Prayagraj has led to a surge in religious travel in India. On Tuesday alone, over 35 million people attended the fair with international attendees, including actor Richard Gere, American filmmaker David Lynch, and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs.
Mahakumbh 2025, which started on January 13, will conclude on February 26. According to data provided by online travel agency Ixigo, the flight bookings to Prayagraj during this period have recorded a 162% year-on-year increase. Nearby Varanasi has also witnessed a 127% increase in flight bookings.
The surge in bookings is despite a significant increase in airfares as compared to last year. The price of the Bengaluru-Prayagraj route has increased nearly 90%, while the Ahmedabad-Prayagraj route fares increased by 41%, Ixigo showed.
The Role of Aviation: Air India on Tuesday announced it will temporarily operate daily flights between Delhi and Prayagr
