Spiritual and pilgrimage tourism continues to be one of the fastest-growing segments in India’s travel landscape. What was once largely driven by senior travellers is now witnessing strong participation from younger travellers, couples, working professionals, who are seeking meaningful journeys combined with comfort, cultural depth and seamless execution. According to Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, travellers are increasingly willing to invest in premium accommodation, assisted darshans, guided rituals and time-efficient itineraries—particularly when travel aligns with India’s sacred calendar and regional festivals.
January: January marks the beginning of the spiritual travel calendar, anchored by large-scale pilgrimages and sacred river rituals. Demand peaks for Prayagraj’s Magh Mela and Kumbh-related bathing dates, with Makar Sankranti falling around 14 January 2026 driving significant movement for ritual snan at the Triveni Sangam. The month also sees strong travel to Gangasagar in West Bengal around the same period. In South India, Arudra Darshan in January draws devotees to Shaivite centres such as Chidambaram and Tiruvannamalai, while spiritually rooted harvest observances in Punjab and Haryana encourage regional temple visits.
February: With Maha Shivratri falling on 15 February 2026, February emerges as a high-intensity pilgrimage month for Shaivite devotees across India. Jyotirlinga circuits in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, along with Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi and Somnath in Gujarat, witness heightened demand. The cooler climate further supports temple-focused journeys along the Ayodhya–Kashi corridor and to Shakti Peeths across Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, with travellers prioritising assisted rituals and guided experiences.
March: March brings together devotion and celebration, with Holi observed on 4 March 2026 transforming Vrindavan and Mathura into major spiritual-cultural hubs rooted in Krishna traditions. Chaitra Navratri begins later in the month on 19 March 2026, prompting increased travel to goddess temples across Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand. Eastern India also sees steady pilgrim movement towards Odisha’s Jagannath circuit, supported by favourable weather and festival-linked itineraries.
April: April is well suited for longer and more immersive spiritual journeys. Rama Navami, observed on 26 March 2026 but extending pilgrimage travel into early April, continues to drive demand for Ayodhya, Sitamarhi and Bhadrachalam. The Ramayan Yatra across India and Sri Lanka records growing interest, while South India’s classical temple circuits—Tirupati, Kanchipuram, Madurai and Rameswaram—see strong demand as travellers combine sacred visits with cultural exploration.
May: May marks the opening phase of the Char Dham Yatra, with temple portals opening sequentially from late April into early May 2026. Given the short operational window and terrain challenges, pilgrims plan months in advance, opting for professionally managed departures that ensure safety and comfort. In Tamil Nadu, Vaikasi Visakam during May drives pilgrimage to Murugan temples such as Palani and Swamimalai, while Akshaya Tritiya further encourages temple visits across Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
June: June continues to witness strong participation in the Char Dham Yatra, alongside early departures for the aspirational Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which operates within a narrow May–September window. The Jagannath Rath Yatra, scheduled for mid-July but driving preparatory travel from late June, boosts movement towards Puri and surrounding regions. Despite rising temperatures, demand remains resilient due to fixed pilgrimage calendars and the aspirational nature of these journeys.
July: July is a spiritually significant month with the onset of Shravan, which begins in late July 2026, triggering heightened devotion to Lord Shiva across India. Jyotirlinga temples in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand see increased pilgrim footfall. The Ashadhi Ekadashi pilgrimage to Pandharpur in Maharashtra, typically observed in early July, exemplifies large-scale community-led devotional travel, continuing even through monsoon conditions.
August: August sees selective yet deeply rooted pilgrimage travel. Onam, observed on 26 August 2026, encourages cultural-spiritual travel to Kerala, while Nag Panchami rituals drive temple visits across Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat. The period also witnesses increased pilgrim movement towards South Indian temples ahead of Krishna Janmashtami, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
September: September is defined by major devotional festivals, with Krishna Janmashtami falling on 4 September 2026 and drawing pilgrims to Mathura, Dwarka and Udupi. Ganesh Chaturthi on 14 September 2026 leads to widespread pilgrim movement across Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa. As the monsoon recedes, September also emerges as a preferred shoulder month for Char Dham travel, appealing to those seeking fewer crowds and improved accessibility.
October: October stands out as one of the most versatile months for spiritual travel. Navratri begins on 11 October 2026 and culminates in Vijayadashami on 20 October 2026, driving extensive pilgrimage to Shakti Peeths across West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Demand also peaks for the Ayodhya–Kashi corridor and for energy centres such as Kamakhya Temple, while Mysuru Dussehra adds a strong heritage-spiritual dimension to travel in Karnataka.
November: November continues to attract travellers seeking reflective and culturally rich spiritual journeys. Diwali on 8 November 2026 and the subsequent Dev Deepawali celebrations later in the month transform Varanasi into a major pilgrimage focal point. Guru Nanak Jayanti on 24 November 2026 drives significant travel to Amritsar and Anandpur Sahib, while Pushkar Fair-related pilgrimage activity in Rajasthan blends sacred ritual with cultural immersion.
December: December rounds off the year with strong demand for South India’s temple circuits. The Mandala–Makaravilakku season at Sabarimala begins in mid-November and continues through December, driving sustained pilgrim movement to Kerala. Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram sees steady year-end visitation, while the holiday period also encourages travel along Christian pilgrimage routes in Goa, Kerala and Meghalaya, reflecting India’s diverse spiritual landscape.
With travellers increasingly prioritising guided rituals, proximity-based accommodation, festival-timed departures and premium enhancements, spiritual travel in India is evolving into thoughtfully curated, experience-led journeys. Pilgrimage today balances faith, comfort and cultural immersion—preserving sacred traditions while meeting the expectations of a new generation of travellers.