Prayagraj, which recently gained attention from across the globe for hosting the world’s largest religious gathering, the Maha Kumbh Mela, is set for a major transformation to boost religious tourism. Authorities have announced plans to promote the city as the “City of Temple Corridors”, a new branding initiative, Hindustan Times reported.
The move comes on the heels of Maha Kumbh 2025 and is intended to build momentum for the upcoming Ardh Kumbh in 2031. According to regional tourism officer Aparajita Singh, the plan focuses on promoting and further developing temple corridors while linking key religious sites across the city. The goal is to make the pilgrim experience smoother, richer, and more appealing to visitors from across India and abroad.
Digital monitoring with tourism tracker As per HT, a new addition to this campaign is the Tourism Tracker, a digital tool that will keep tabs on tourism trends and evaluate the performance of religious and tourist destinations in Prayagraj. The tracker will provide monthly data on visitor numbers, both domestic and international, as well as hotel occupancy, transport arrangements, and event organisation.
Officials say this system will help identify gaps or areas that need investment, ensuring visitors have a seamless experience. By analysing such data regularly, the administration can respond faster to any challenges that may affect tourism in the region.
Showcasing temple corridors and cultural revival A key highlight of this initiative will be the promotion of temple corridors developed ahead of Maha Kumbh 2025. This includes revamping and connecting prominent but long-overlooked temples, such as the Dwadash Madhav cluster, under a project worth over Rs 129 crore.
Other important sites like the Bade Hanuman Temple near Sangam, the Akshayvat and Saraswati Well, and the Bhardwaj Ashram will also be showcased. Plans are in place to organise Ganga Aarti and cultural evenings at these locations, making them vibrant hubs for both pilgrims and tourists.
Multilingual signboards will also be installed across corridors to make navigation easier. The municipal corporation will soon issue tenders for these signs, while measures will also be taken to prevent unauthorised vendors from encroaching on these sacred spaces.
Preparation for Ardh Kumbh 2031 Though Ardh Kumbh 2031 is still years away, groundwork is already underway. Authorities are drafting proposals for better infrastructure, hospitality facilities, and event management. This planning involves close coordination between the tourism department, the Prayagraj Development Authority, the municipal corporation, and the Prayagraj Mela Authority.
The administration is also planning to establish a land bank to facilitate the construction of essential facilities, such as parking lots, public restrooms, rest houses, and cafeterias, outside city limits. These projects will be executed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model after land acquisition.
Industry engagement and tourism conclaves While Prayagraj sees huge crowds during Kumbh events, year-round tourism has not grown at the same pace. To change this, a mega tourism conclave will be held, bringing together tour operators, travel agencies, and hotel industry representatives from across the country.
Officials stated that this conclave will boost not just religious tourism but also open up employment and business opportunities. Three similar events have already been held in the past with encouraging outcomes.
Expanding accommodation With tourist numbers set to rise, the administration is focusing on improving local hospitality. Efforts are being made to simplify the No Objection Certificate (NOC) process for setting up new hotels. The network of homestays will also be expanded to give visitors more accommodation choices.
In another first, the government is considering registering dharamshalas (pilgrims’ rest houses) with the tourism department. This would integrate them into the broader hospitality system, ensuring better standards and availability for visitors.
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