Gujarat's Religious Tourism Boom: Pilgrimage Circuits Drive Record Visitor Numbers
Pilgrimage tours are emerging as the primary engine driving tourist inflows into Gujarat, according to the latest data from the Union Ministry of Tourism. The state's top 10 destinations witnessed an unprecedented surge in domestic tourist arrivals, highlighting a significant post-pandemic recovery and a shift toward spiritual travel.
Record-Breaking Domestic Tourist Numbers
The statistics reveal that Gujarat welcomed a staggering 12.4 crore domestic tourists to its top 10 destinations in 2025. This represents a remarkable year-on-year increase of 36.9% from the 9.1 crore tourists recorded in 2024. When compared to 2023 figures, the growth is even more impressive, with domestic footfall rising by 60.2% from 7.78 crore visitors.
The destinations covered in this data include:
- Ahmedabad city
- Ambaji
- Dakor
- Dwarka
- Somnath
- Pavagadh
- Kankaria lakefront
- Ekta Nagar
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
- Surat city
Foreign Tourist Arrivals Show Steady Growth
While domestic tourism has experienced explosive growth, foreign tourist arrivals to Gujarat's top destinations have also increased, albeit at a more moderate pace. The data shows foreign tourist numbers rose from 13.2 lakh in 2023 to 14.7 lakh in 2024, reaching 16 lakh in 2025.
Temple Towns Dominate Visitor Footfall
Temple towns and religious circuits account for the overwhelming majority of footfall among Gujarat's most visited destinations. From Ambaji and Dakor to Dwarka and Somnath, pilgrim destinations have emerged as the biggest draw for domestic travelers, even as urban and leisure destinations continue to see steady growth.
"Religious tourism in Gujarat has seen a significant post-Covid surge, particularly in destinations such as Somnath and Dwarka, where improved road connectivity and better infrastructure have made travel far more convenient," said Manish Sharma, a city-based travel expert.
He elaborated further: "Earlier, these were seen largely as pilgrimage towns with limited accommodation options centred around dharamshalas, but the emergence of new hotels, luxury properties and resorts has broadened their appeal and drawn younger travellers as well. With Somnath being a Jyotirlinga and Dwarka holding significance as both a Char Dham site and Jyotirlinga circuit destination, their spiritual pull remains unmatched."
Sharma added that other centers such as Dakor, Chotila and Ambaji are also seeing growing traction as pilgrimage tourism becomes increasingly mainstream.
Infrastructure Investments Fueling Growth
Officials attribute the sustained growth to strategic investments in tourism infrastructure, destination development, sanitation improvements, parking facilities, digital promotion campaigns, and enhanced visitor amenities. These initiatives have collectively transformed the tourism experience across Gujarat's religious and cultural sites.
Newer Tourism Hubs on the Rise
The data also highlights the continued emergence of newer tourism hubs. Ekta Nagar, home to the iconic Statue of Unity, registered 68.3 lakh domestic tourists in 2025, nearly doubling from 36.9 lakh in 2023. This demonstrates how modern attractions are complementing traditional pilgrimage circuits to create a diverse tourism ecosystem in Gujarat.
The combination of ancient spiritual sites and contemporary landmarks is positioning Gujarat as a multifaceted destination that appeals to both traditional pilgrims and modern travelers seeking cultural and recreational experiences.
