Uttar Pradesh Buddhist Tourism Experiences Unprecedented Growth
In a remarkable development for religious tourism, the number of international visitors to Buddhist pilgrimage sites across Uttar Pradesh has witnessed an extraordinary nine-fold increase over the past three years. Official data from the state tourism department reveals a staggering surge from just 48,000 foreign tourists in 2022 to an impressive 4.4 lakh in 2025.
Infrastructure and Connectivity Drive the Surge
Tourism authorities have pinpointed several critical factors behind this exponential growth. Improved road and air connectivity, enhanced branding campaigns, and significantly upgraded tourist infrastructure have collectively transformed the pilgrimage experience. Additional Chief Secretary Amrit Abhijat emphasized the pivotal role of the Kushinagar International Airport, stating, "The operationalization of Kushinagar International Airport played a key role in boosting direct international arrivals, particularly from Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. The reduced travel time and logistical barriers have greatly eased the pilgrimage journey."
Kushinagar Leads as Top Destination
This strategic enhancement explains why Kushinagar emerged as the most visited destination by foreign pilgrims. In 2025 alone, Kushinagar accounted for a massive 3 lakh of the total 4.4 lakh international visitors. Sarnath followed closely with approximately 1 lakh pilgrims, while other significant sites including Kapilvastu, Sravasti, Kaushambi, and Sankisa collectively hosted the remaining share. Abhijat further noted, "Sustained monastic exchanges and demand-driven linkages with major Buddhist centers like Bodh Gaya and Sarnath have catalysed this remarkable rise."
Demographic Breakdown and Seasonal Trends
Regional officials monitoring the trend provided a detailed demographic analysis. Thailand contributed the largest share, accounting for about 30-35% of the total international footfall. Sri Lanka followed with 20-25%, and Japan held a 10-15% share. Most of the remaining visitors hailed from Myanmar, Taiwan, and Korea.
Tarit Roy, a tourist curator based in Kushinagar, highlighted the seasonal preference among foreign visitors. "Foreign visitors strongly prefer the winter months over other times of the year. They meticulously plan their visits around Kathina, which coincides with Kartik Purnima – a sacred day marking the Buddha's return from heaven. Pilgrimages often include this significant occasion," Roy explained. This period also features the public veneration of the Buddha's sacred relics at the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar in Sarnath, Varanasi, adding to the spiritual allure.
Government Initiatives Enhance Pilgrim Experience
Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh outlined the comprehensive measures undertaken by the government to achieve an "ease of pilgrimage" for devotees. "We implemented numerous steps including providing last-mile connectivity, installing multilingual signage, improving sanitation facilities, enhancing crowd management systems, and expanding hospitality capacity. These improvements have significantly enhanced the overall visitor experience, triggering a positive domino effect," Singh stated.
The tourism department has also launched and amplified structured outreach initiatives through active participation in international travel marts. Additionally, sustained diplomatic engagement with Buddhist-majority nations has been crucial in building trust and fostering stronger cultural and religious ties.
The concerted efforts in infrastructure development, strategic marketing, and international collaboration have clearly positioned Uttar Pradesh as a premier global destination for Buddhist pilgrimage, setting a new benchmark in religious tourism.
