Uttar Pradesh sees record-breaking pilgrim turnout in Shravan month

Lucknow: The holy month of Shravan this year has witnessed an unprecedented surge of faith and festivities across Uttar Pradesh, shattering all previous records in religious tourism.

Temples, ghats, and religious fairs saw extraordinary pilgrim turnout, strengthening the state’s position as India’s leading spiritual destination. This grand confluence of devotion also brought a remarkable boost to local trade and the economy.

From the state capital to the ancient temples of Varanasi, chants of “Har Har Mahadev” echoed across the state. Pilgrims performed jalabhishek at the city’s iconic temples, while sacred sites in Barabanki, Bagpat, and Hapur overflowed with worshippers.

At Lucknow’s famed Mankameshwar Temple, daily pilgrim numbers rose from an average of 5,000–6,000 to over 15,000–20,000 during Shravan. At Budheshwar Temple, footfall crossed 20,000 every Monday and Wednesday. Barabanki’s Lodheswar Mahadev Temple welcomed nearly 1.2 million devotees, with Mondays drawing up to 300,000.

Bagpat’s Shravan Mela attracted approximately 1.4 million visitors, with over 500,000 arriving in a single day. More than 100,000 kanwariyas carried Ganga water from Hapur’s Garhmukteshwar Ghat, while Lakhimpur Kheri’s Gola Gokaran Nath Temple saw between 800,000 and 1 million visitors.

Varanasi’s Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham remained the crown jewel of Shravan celebrations.

Estimates suggest footfall rose over 10 percent compared to last year, averaging 70,000–82,000 visitors daily, peaking on Mondays. The increase reflects not only the city’s spiritual magnetism but also the state’s successful efforts in facilities and crowd management.

According to July 2025 figures from the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, which was disclosed here on Tuesday, Shravan month saw a massive upswing in tourism-linked activity in Lucknow.

Around 350,000 tourists stayed in hotels, including nearly 5,000 foreign visitors. Traditional fairs drew over 604,000 people, while cultural events and festivals saw participation from about 49,200 and 16,700 visitors respectively. These figures highlight the continuing rise of religious and cultural tourism in Uttar Pradesh, with Shravan festivities serving as a key driver.

UP Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said, “Shravan 2025 has gone down as a golden chapter in Uttar Pradesh’s religious, cultural, and economic life. Record-breaking pilgrim turnout has reaffirmed that UP is India’s foremost religious tourism hub. We ensured that every devotee enjoyed an uninterrupted, safe, and fulfilling experience while significantly strengthening infrastructure at pilgrimage sites.”

Principal Secretary for Tourism and Culture, Mukesh Kumar Meshram, said, “The extraordinary crowds of Shravan 2025 are living proof of the success of our religious tourism strategy. From temple management to transport, security, and amenities, preparations were made with meticulous attention to detail to ensure every pilgrim enjoyed a safe, seamless, and unforgettable spiritual experience.”

The festivities brought a surge in demand for prasad vendors, temporary stalls, eateries, transport services, and accommodations, creating thousands of seasonal jobs. Both rural and urban communities benefited, with pilgrims arriving not only from across Uttar Pradesh but also from Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and abroad.

With Shravan now concluded, Uttar Pradesh has once again shown how spiritual heritage, robust infrastructure, and smart planning can transform a religious festival into a powerful driver of economic activity.