Millions of people from diverse regions worldwide embark on sacred pilgrimages, embracing rituals that not only deepen their spiritual connection but also enhance their travel experiences.
Religious tourism offers a unique blend of spiritual enrichment and cultural exploration, drawing millions of visitors each year to sacred places worldwide.
Whether it’s the journey of Muslims to Makkah to perform Hajj or Umrah, or Sikhs coming to Kartarpur in Pakistan, religious tourism provides a transformative and transcendent experience for people from all walks of life.
Hajj: The Spiritual Journey of Muslim Ummah
For over 1,400 years, Makkah and Medina, Saudi Arabia, have been the spiritual heart of Islam, and visiting these sacred cities is not merely a tourism activity—it is an act of devotion that connects Muslims to their faith’s origins.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, represents a profound spiritual journey, while Umrah offers the opportunity to seek blessings and closeness to Allah Almighty at any time of the year.
According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), a total of 1,833,164 pilgrims participated in the Hajj season of 1445H, with 1,611,310 arrived from outside the Kingdom and 221,854 from within the Saudi Arabia.
With over 2 million pilgrims annually for Hajj and 7.5 million for Umrah, the country has invested heavily in infrastructure projects like the expansion of the Grand Mosque and the development of the Haramain High-Speed Rail to support increasing number of pilgrims.
The Pilgrim Experience Program, part of Vision 2030, aims to facilitate the journey of pilgrims and is working towards increasing the number of international Umrah pilgrims to 30 million annually by 2030.
The 2023 stats show that over 106 million tourists and pilgrims visited Kingdom, which was 94.8 million in 2022.
According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the annual income of state due to the visits was around SAR135 billion in 2023.
This income is derived from various sectors, including hospitality, transportation, retail, and services, making it a key pillar of the economy.
Kumbh Mela: Hindus Holy Dip to Purify Themselves
India has long been a major destination for religious tourism, with the Kumbh Mela (the festival of sacred Pitcher) standing out as the largest religious gathering of Hindu pilgrims on Earth.
It attracts millions of Hindus who believe that during the 49-day festival, the bathing in the Ganges river can absolve sins and break the cycle of rebirth.
The Kumbh Mela is held every three years, rotating between four sacred locations—Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nasik—each situated along the banks of India’s holy rivers. The festival revisits each location once every 12 years.
Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated in a cycle of twelve years to celebrate the revolution of Brihaspati (Jupiter), which is also known as Kumbha Kaal. Planet Jupiter transits in the Mrigasira constellation in every 12 years, hence this mela is celebrated within this time period. The last time Maha Kumbh Mela was held in 2013, and the next is due in 2025.
The 2019 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad drew over 120 million people, with 50 million attending on its main day, marking it the largest religious gathering of the world.
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City:
St. Peter Basilica, the Renaissance’s masterpiece is the spiritual heart of Catholics. Apart from being world’s smallest city, it attracts more than 10 million visitors each year to marvel at its stunning architecture and to see the Pope during special ceremonies.
Every year there is 21 days affairs, begin in 8th December which is lasted till beginning of new year eve.
The Vatican’s role in major Christian celebrations, such as Easter and Christmas, further enhances its religious significance, attracting devotees from around the globe.
Beyond its sacred sites, Vatican City’s museums and gardens offer a deeper exploration of the Church’s rich cultural and artistic legacy.
Visiting the Vatican is not just a journey through history, but also a deeply spiritual experience for Catholics and tourists alike, making it one of the most important religious tourism destinations in the world.
Pakistan: The Heart of Various Religious Sacred Sites
Pakistan is a rich tapestry of religious heritage with a home to 80% of the Sikh religion’s most sacred sites, including Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev.
The country is home to 195 Gurdwaras, with the five most significant being Kartarpur Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, Nankana Sahib, and the Samadhi of Ranjit Singh in Lahore.
Every year, around 7,500 Sikhs from India and 2,000 from around the world visit these sacred sites, highlighting the accessibility and importance of these religious landmarks.
Pakistan’s tourism infrastructure continues to evolve with innovations such as the introduction of online visa applications in 2019, which have streamlined the visa process for religious tourists.
Moreover, the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) actively promotes religious tourism through roadshows and seminars worldwide, further enhancing Pakistan’s standing as a destination for religious travel.
In 2024, thousands of Sikh pilgrims gathered in Pakistan to celebrate the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
Pakistan’s authorities claim that over 10,000 pilgrims from around the world, including approximately 3,000 from India, journeyed to Pakistan to take part in the festivities, with many visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur and other key sites like Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal.
This significant pilgrimage underscores the continued relevance of the Kartarpur Corridor in fostering interfaith connections and promoting tourism.
Pakistan is also home to various other significant religious tourism sites, including the Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan Sharif, the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, and the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad. The Katas Raj Temples near Chakwal further highlight Pakistan’s role in promoting interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange.
