Number of tourist visits to Ayodhya India 2021, by destination

In 2021, Ayodhya (Sthal), a city in Uttar Pradesh in India, saw more than 15.46 million tourist visits. Ayodhya is believed to be the birthplace of the Hindu god Rama from the Ramayana epic. It is regarded as an important pilgrimage site for Hindus.

A journey through history and culture

Known for its rich history, diverse culture, and religious significance, Uttar Pradesh attracts a large number of tourists, both domestic and foreign. The state has seen a significant increase in tourism in recent years, with the rate of change in tourist visits to major destinations in Uttar Pradesh at over 80 percent. Popular tourist destinations include the holy cities of Varanasi, Mathura and Agra, among others.

The Ramayana circuit

In recent years, the central government, in collaboration with the state, has taken several steps to improve religious tourism through initiatives such as the Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD scheme.
The Ramayana circuit project, under the Swadesh Darshan initiative, aims to promote tourism at places associated with the life and journey of Lord Rama. The government released over one billion Indian rupees for the project in Uttar Pradesh in the fiscal year 2018, estimated to increase over the coming years.