Jaipur: Faith is emerging as the leading growth engine for Rajasthan’s tourism industry. Official visitor footfall records for the first six months of the year, Jan to June 2026, show spiritual travel expanding at a much faster pace than general heritage and holiday travel across the state.Department of Tourism data shows total visitor arrivals in Rajasthan rose by 10.52%, from 9.77 crore in the first half of 2025 to 10.80 crore in the same six-month period in 2026.However, footfalls at the state’s 20 major pilgrimage hubs grew at a sharper 14%, with total visits rising from 4.33 crore to 4.93 crore.In contrast, non-pilgrimage destinations, including traditional fort, palace and wildlife circuits, grew by a more modest 7.84%. As a result, pilgrimage trips accounted for 45.70% of all tourist visits in the state in the first half of 2026, up from 44.35% in 2025.Khatu Shyam ji in Sikar led the tally, drawing 1.30 crore devotees between January and June 2026.Desert shrines in western Rajasthan recorded the sharpest spikes. Ramdevra in Jaisalmer saw visitor numbers surge by 274.35% to 24.83 lakh, while Tanot Mata Temple climbed 154.11% to 21.52 lakh visits.Sanwaliya Ji Temple in Chittorgarh also posted strong growth, rising 27.20% to 62.20 lakh visits. Salasar Balaji in Churu recorded a 23.72% increase to 33.98 lakh.Industry representatives attributed the trend to improved highway corridors and a steady rise in high-frequency domestic weekend travel.With pilgrimage hubs attracting millions of devotees, religious circuits have established themselves as a key driver of Rajasthan’s tourism economy.
