Major Boost To Tourism As Pilgrims Throng Holy Places In Rajasthan

No doubt Rajasthan has always been a fovourite destination for the tourists - foreign as well as domestic. But, of late, the State has recorded a phenomenal increase in footfalls at its holy places and religious endowments as it is witnessing a boom in religious tourism.

Last year alone, a total of 10.87 crore tourists visited the State. While only 63 lakh of them went to see various tourist places in the State, a whopping 10.24 crore others visited religious places. This massive difference between the number of pilgrims and other tourists visiting the State in a year is astounding as Rajasthan is not known as a 'Devbhoomi' or 'Dharmasthan' in general.

State Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh though claimed that "faith has a deep connection with Rajasthan." He rolled out a list of religious places in the State that have frequently been visited by devotees. "We have popular piligrimage centres like Pushkar, Khatu Shyamji, Salasar Balaji and Garib Nawaz in Ajmer," he said.

Besides, there are many other religious places like Mehandipur Balaji, Govind Dev Ji, Shila Mata, Kaila Devi, Karni Mata, Beneshwar Dham, Ramdevra and Shri Mahavir Ji, the minister pointed out, claiming the "the way the State govt has developed these religious places, devotees are increasing."

Talking about the unusual increase in tourist footfalls in the State, Dr Mahendra Singh Khadgawat, Director of the Deparment of Archaeology, explained that development of basic facilities and infrastuctures at monuments and museums creates a sense of security among the tourists.

Gayatri Rathore, Principal Tourism Secretary, said that since the implementation of the new tourism policy, tourists are attracted towards Rajasthan. "Increase in religious tourism has also given a push to the economy of the State. In the last few years, the infrastructure developed by Rajasthan in tourist destinations, religious places and rural tourism sector is proving beneficial," she said.