The increase in tourist footfall in Varanasi made the temple town the top most religious and tourist destination of East UP, as per the data released by the state government. As per the data, Varanasi saw 8,54,73,633 visitors in 2023, which was way ahead of the other destinations. The second most visited destination of east UP was Vindhyachal, which had a footfall of 72, 97, 800 followed by Ashtabhuja (42, 35,770), Sitamarhi (25, 41, 080) and Sonbhadra (22, 26, 310).
Tourists visiting Varanasi explore the spiritual, religious, and natural attractions of nearby regions, drawn by the area’s newfound appeal. They added that in 2023, Varanasi emerged as the top religious and tourist destination in Purvanchal, with Vindhyachal in Mirzapur and the Ashtabhuja Temple, also in Mirzapur, securing fourth, while Sonbhadra, known for its natural beauty, claimed the fifth position.
Earlier, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that development of Vishnupad Temple corridor at Gaya and Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar and tourist destinations. She said, ‘These corridors will be modelled on the successful Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor’.
Vishnupad Temple is one of the most ancient Hindu shrines located next to the Falgu River, while the Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sitharaman said in her Union Budget 2024-25 speech, ‘Tourism has always been a part of our civilization. Our efforts in positioning India as a global tourist destination wil also create jobs, stimulate investments and unlock economic opportunities for other sectors’. She said, ‘Vishnupad Temple at Gaya and Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar are of immense spiritual significance’.
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