Varanasi, the Number One Religious Tourist Destination in Purvanchal

Varanasi 5 september:-(desk) Varanasi has emerged as the top religious tourist destination in the Purvanchal region, surpassing even the famous Vindhyachal temple complex. Known for its ancient temples, ghats along the Ganges, and spiritual atmosphere, Varanasi attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists every year

Varanasi Emerges as Top Religious Tourist Destination in Purvanchal, Boosting Nearby Districts
Varanasi's transformed landscape has made it the number one choice for tourists, with the city's makeover benefiting the tourism centers of neighboring districts as well. In 2023, over 85.4 million tourists visited Varanasi, while Mirzapur came in second with over 7.2 million visitors.

Tourists visiting Varanasi are also drawn to the spiritual, religious and natural sites of the surrounding districts. In 2023, Varanasi emerged as the top religious and tourist destination in Purvanchal, followed by Vindhyachal in Mirzapur as the second most popular site and Ashtabhuja temple, also in Mirzapur, as the third most visited. Other notable destinations include Sitamarhi in Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadohi) and the picturesque Sonbhadra, ranking fourth and fifth respectively.

Improved connectivity to Varanasi and surrounding areas has facilitated various tourism development projects in the region. The positive results are evident as tourists are able to explore more destinations in less time.

According to Rajendra Kumar Rawat, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department, the development works in Varanasi, improvements in basic infrastructure, better connectivity from other cities, ease of access and security have all contributed to the surge in tourist numbers. The focus on developing tourism and religious sites in Varanasi's neighboring districts has also increased the appeal for visitors.

Traveling within a 100-200 km radius of Varanasi has become quite convenient for tourists. Visitors to Varanasi are particularly drawn to the religious sites, waterfalls and natural beauty of Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadohi), Mirzapur and Sonbhadra.

Total tourist numbers in 2023 for the top 5 destinations around Varanasi:
Varanasi - 85,473,633
Vindhyachal - 7,297,800
Ashtabhuja - 4,235,770
Sitamarhi - 2,541,080
Sonbhadra - 2,226,310