Temple bells toll in Varanasi: PM Modi’s constituency ranked second most popular religious tourism destination globally

Hyderabad: A recent study by My Cross ranked Varanasi as the second most popular religious tourism destination globally, with a score of 78. The study analyzed five key metrics: annual visitors, number of religious sites, online search volume, social media engagement, and available accommodations.

High Search Volume and Online Interest

Varanasi stands out with 2.8 million online searches annually, the highest among all analyzed religious destinations. This indicates a strong global interest in the city’s spiritual significance, beyond just physical visits.

Annual Visitors and Religious Sites

Varanasi attracts 11 million visitors each year to its 71 religious sites, including the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the ghats along the Ganges.

Accommodation Infrastructure

The city offers 1,149 lodging options, reflecting its preparedness to handle the steady influx of visitors. This accommodation infrastructure is higher than some other top-ranked destinations, ensuring a smoother tourism experience.

Social Media Engagement

Varanasi has also gained significant attention on social media, generating 5.6 million hashtags. This highlights how traditional spiritual practices are transitioning into the digital space.

A Sustainable Tourism Model

Unlike some destinations that experience seasonal peaks, Varanasi’s tourism appears more evenly distributed throughout the year. A My Cross analysis noted:

“While receiving fewer annual visitors than Kyoto, the city’s higher number of accommodations and substantial search volume suggest a more distributed year-round visitation pattern. This could indicate a more sustainable tourism model.”

Conclusion

With a strong combination of online interest, visitor volume, religious significance, and accommodation infrastructure, Varanasi continues to solidify its place as a leading global destination for religious tourism.