India’s pilgrimage travel market is expanding rapidly, driven by growing demand for luxury experiences, according to MakeMyTrip’s Pilgrimage Travel Trends 2024-25 report. The report highlights that premiumisation is gaining momentum, with travellers increasingly opting for high-end stays across destinations.
According to the report, accommodation bookings across 56 pilgrimage destinations rose 19% in FY25. Of these, 34 destinations recorded double-digit growth, while 15 exceeded 25%. Leading centres included Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Puri, Amritsar, and Tirupati, alongside emerging destinations like Khatushyam Ji, Omkareshwar, and Thiruchendur.
While budget stays under ₹4,500 still dominate, premium choices are gaining traction. Bookings for ₹7,000–10,000 rooms climbed 24%, and those exceeding ₹10,000 recorded a 23% rise in FY25, the report states.
The growing preference for premium stays has driven an expansion in options, with nearly 63% of today’s premium accommodations launched over the past three years.
Beyond traditional hotels, travellers are exploring varied options. Homestays and serviced apartments now account for almost 10% of pilgrimage bookings, reflecting the shift toward diverse and flexible stay preferences at religious destinations.
Meanwhile, 63% of pilgrimage bookings were made within six days of travel. This highlights a strong preference for last-minute planning, showing pilgrimage trips are often more spontaneous than leisure travel.
On the other hand, Short visits lead pilgrimage trips, with 53% of travellers choosing single-night stays, compared to 45% in leisure travel
Two-night stays accounted for nearly 31% of pilgrimage trips, while three-night visits made up only 11%. Longer journeys of four nights or more together contributed less than 5% of bookings.
Group travel remains a defining feature, with 47% of trips made in groups compared to 38.9 per cent at leisure spots. Additionally, 48% blended pilgrimage with leisure destinations in one package.
