The report highlights an increase in youth engagement in pilgrimage travel compared to FY25. Younger Indians are increasingly exploring spiritual sites like Rishikesh, Varanasi, Thanjavur, Tirupati, Nanded, and Ujjain.
“India’s spiritual travel market continues to experience strong involvement across generations, with younger travellers becoming more prominent across key routes and religious destinations,” stated the report.
The data revealed that Gen Z has emerged as the predominant group in this segment. Male travellers represent approximately 69% of this demographic, while female travellers constitute nearly 31%.
Popular routes such as Bengaluru–Tirupati, Hyderabad–Tirupati, Rishikesh–Delhi, Pune–Nanded, Chennai–Thanjavur, and Indore–Ujjain are witnessing significant demand from young adventurers. The Bengaluru–Tirupati route alone has accommodated lakhs of Gen Z passengers, as per the report.
Spiritual travel is becoming increasingly spontaneous and driven by mobile technology for Gen Z. The findings indicate that more young travellers are booking spiritual trips closer to their departure dates. Bookings made within four hours of travel have surged from 16% in 2022 to approximately 23% in 2026.
Young explorers are discovering spiritual destinations not only through family or community recommendations but also via digital content like travel vlogs, reels, and social media posts. Industry reports from 2024 estimate that spiritual tourism constitutes nearly 60% of domestic tourism in India.
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The increasing presence of Gen Z travellers on spiritual journeys does not alter the inherent meaning of these experiences. “The rise of Gen Z on spiritual journeys does not change the fundamental essence of these travels. The intent remains unchanged,” the report notes.
“For young Indians, these journeys continue to be rooted in tradition, family, culture, and a profound personal connection to spiritual sites,” the report elaborates.
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(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
First Published: Jun 4, 2026 6:08 PM IST
