The year 2025 witnessed a remarkable surge in spiritual journeys across South India, with private bus operators reporting a massive 50% overall growth in travel from Chennai to major pilgrimage centers. Destinations like Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchendur, Velankanni, Madurai, and Thanjavur saw unprecedented demand, reshaping the regional travel landscape.
Top Destinations and Expanding Demand
According to A Anbazhagan, president of the All India Omni Bus Owners Association, the pilgrimage hubs of Tiruchendur and Tiruvannamalai saw the most traction. Traditionally, demand for Tiruchendur originated primarily from Chennai or Coimbatore. However, 2025 broke this pattern, with significant demand emerging from cities like Vellore and Bengaluru. Similarly, routes from Vizag to Tiruvannamalai experienced huge demand, indicating a broadening geographic appeal for these sacred sites.
Prakash Sangam, CEO of redBus, highlighted that south-bound routes from Chennai, particularly to Madurai, Tirunelveli, and Nagercoil, were among the highest traffic corridors. He added that journeys to renowned temple towns such as Rameswaram, Palani, and Kumbakonam collectively accounted for 7% of all travel within Tamil Nadu.
The Comfort Factor: AC Buses Gain Popularity
A clear trend in 2025 was the growing preference for comfort among pilgrims. Bookings for AC sleeper seats grew by 34% compared to the previous year, while AC seater bookings saw an even higher jump of 40%. This shift underscores a changing expectation where devotees seek a more comfortable travel experience to and from their spiritual destinations.
Private Operators Outpace State Services
Despite the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) also noting a rise in pilgrim numbers, private bus operators continue to be the preferred choice for the average commuter. The reasons are multifaceted: a larger fleet size, more convenient pick-up points within cities, and overall cost-effectiveness.
Anbazhagan pointed out the scale of operations, noting that private operators run approximately 1,200 buses daily from Chennai to south-bound districts. In stark contrast, the SETC's entire fleet strength is 1,074 buses, with only around 350 deployed on these specific pilgrimage routes.
SETC Managing Director R Mohan explained the logistical constraints, stating they are unable to increase boarding points within Chennai city. "The idea behind operating from Koyambedu (KCBT) was to decongest operations within Chennai, so we can't go against a government order," he said. However, the corporation is making efforts to cater to the demand. "We recently procured 20 multi-axle buses and ran services to Madurai, Tiruchendur, and Tirunelveli. Our one-day TNSTC pilgrimage bus service to the Navagraha temples around Kumbakonam, launched in June 2024, also saw a steady rise in bookings," Mohan added.
The data from 2025 paints a vivid picture of a post-pandemic revival in religious tourism, driven by convenience, comfort, and the extensive network of private bus operators connecting devotees to their faith.
