India’s spiritual tourism sector is undergoing a significant transformation, emerging as a powerful driver of economic growth, cultural engagement, and destination development, according to a joint report by KPMG in India and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI).

Titled “From Darshan to Destination: The Transformation of Spiritual Tourism in India”, the report was released today at PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PHDCCI) 3rd Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave – रूहmantic 3.0.

With a special spotlight on Maharashtra, the report highlights how the state is emerging as a key hub for integrated, circuit-based spiritual tourism—blending pilgrimage with heritage, wellness, and experiential travel.The report highlights how spiritual tourism is transitioning from a traditional, ritual-centric activity to an integrated, experience-led ecosystem that blends faith, culture, wellness, and leisure.

With evolving traveller expectations and increasing demand for immersive and meaningful journeys, spiritual destinations across India—and particularly in Maharashtra—are being repositioned as holistic experience hubs.Key highlights:•

India’s spiritual tourism market is projected to grow from USD 202.85 billion in FY25 to USD 441.19 billion by 2035, indicating strong long-term growth potential Around 60 per cent of domestic tourist visits are linked to religious travel, underscoring the sector’s foundational role in India’s tourism ecosystem

The sector is transitioning from a ritual-led pilgrimage model to an experience-led ecosystem integrating spirituality, culture, wellness and leisure • Emergence of new traveller segments such as experience seekers, wellness travellers and global spiritual consumers is reshaping demand patterns • Maharashtra is emerging as a key hub for circuit-based spiritual tourism, with established routes such as Ashtavinayak, Jyotirlinga and Nashik–Shirdi–Aurangabad corridors.

The upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik is expected to attract over 12 crore visitors and generate significant economic activity, positioning Maharashtra as a global spiritual tourism destination

Anchor destinations like Shirdi, Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar and Pandharpur are driving high-volume footfall and enabling multi-destination, longer-stay journeys. Vivek Agarwal, Partner and Lead – Industrial and Infrastructure Development Government and Public Services , KPMG in India said, “India’s spiritual tourism sector is at an inflection point, where scale and diversity of demand are converging with the need for more structured and experience-led development.

The opportunity lies in moving beyond managing footfall to designing holistic destination ecosystems that integrate infrastructure, storytelling, and technology. If executed effectively, spiritual tourism can become a key pillar of India’s broader tourism and economic growth strategy, while preserving the authenticity and sanctity of its cultural heritage.” Aalap Bansal, Partner- Industrial & Infrastructure Development Advisory (IIDA) Government & Public Services, KPMG in India said, “The next phase of growth in spiritual tourism will be driven by how effectively destinations create integrated, experience-led journeys.

Maharashtra presents a compelling opportunity in this context, with its well-established spiritual circuits and anchor destinations such as Shirdi and Nashik. The upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela further reinforces the state’s potential to emerge as a global spiritual tourism hub.

By leveraging circuit-based planning, digital enablement, and public–private collaboration, Maharashtra can lead the way in creating scalable, immersive and globally competitive spiritual tourism experiences.” As India continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s most diverse spiritual landscapes, the report underscores the need for a coordinated, future-ready approach to unlock the sector’s full potential.

With states like Maharashtra leading the way in circuit-based and experience-led tourism models, spiritual tourism can evolve into a high-value, sustainable ecosystem that drives inclusive growth, enhances destination competitiveness, and reinforces India’s global tourism leadership.