Shravan-2025 marks golden era in Uttar Pradesh’s religious tourism

The holy month of Shravan in 2025 witnessed an unprecedented surge of faith and festivities across Uttar Pradesh, setting new records in religious tourism.

Temples, ghats, and religious fairs experienced extraordinary pilgrim turnout, further cementing the state’s position as India’s leading spiritual destination. This grand convergence of devotion also delivered a remarkable boost to local trade and the economy.

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From the state capital to the ancient temples of Varanasi, chants of “Har Har Mahadev” resonated across the land. Pilgrims performed jalabhishek at iconic temples, while sacred sites in Barabanki, Bagpat, and Hapur overflowed with worshippers.

In Lucknow’s famed Mankameshwar Temple, daily pilgrim numbers rose from an average of 5,000–6,000 to over 15,000–20,000 during Shravan. Budheshwar Temple saw footfall cross 20,000 every Monday and Wednesday. Barabanki’s Lodheshwar Mahadev Temple welcomed nearly 1.2 million devotees, with Mondays drawing up to 300,000.

Bagpat’s Shravan Mela attracted about 1.4 million visitors, with over 500,000 in a single day. More than 100,000 kanwariyas carried Ganga water from Hapur’s Garhmukteshwar Ghat, while Lakhimpur Kheri’s Gola Gokaran Nath Temple saw between 800,000 and 1 million visitors.

Varanasi’s Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham remained the crown jewel of Shravan celebrations. Estimates suggest footfall rose by over 10 percent compared to last year, averaging 70,000–82,000 visitors daily, peaking on Mondays. The increase reflects not only the city’s unmatched spiritual magnetism but also the state’s successful efforts in facility upgrades and crowd management.

According to July 2025 data from the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, released here on Tuesday, Lucknow alone saw around 350,000 tourists staying in hotels during Shravan, including nearly 5,000 foreign visitors. Traditional fairs attracted over 604,000 people, while cultural events and festivals drew about 49,200 and 16,700 visitors, respectively. These numbers highlight the growing prominence of religious and cultural tourism in Uttar Pradesh, with Shravan festivities serving as a major driver.

UP Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said, “Shravan 2025 has gone down as a golden chapter in Uttar Pradesh’s religious, cultural, and economic life. Record-breaking pilgrim turnout has reaffirmed that UP is India’s foremost religious tourism hub. We ensured that every devotee enjoyed an uninterrupted, safe, and fulfilling experience while significantly strengthening infrastructure at pilgrimage sites.”

Principal Secretary for Tourism and Culture Mukesh Kumar Meshram added, “The extraordinary crowds of Shravan 2025 are living proof of the success of our religious tourism strategy. From temple management to transport, security, and amenities, preparations were made with meticulous attention to detail to ensure every pilgrim enjoyed a safe, seamless, and unforgettable spiritual experience.”

The festivities also triggered a surge in demand for prasad vendors, temporary stalls, eateries, transport services, and accommodations, creating thousands of seasonal jobs. Both rural and urban communities benefited, as pilgrims arrived not only from across Uttar Pradesh but also from Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and overseas.

With Shravan now concluded, Uttar Pradesh has once again demonstrated how spiritual heritage, robust infrastructure, and strategic planning can transform a religious festival into a powerful engine for economic growth.