Lucknow News: Uttar Pradesh is constantly touching new heights in the field of tourism. Especially the popularity of Buddhism associated sites have given the state a strong place on the global religious tourism map. In the year 2024, a total of 65 crore tourists came to the state, out of which 61,47,826 devotees arrived only to visit Buddhist sites. This figure reflects the increasing importance and attraction of Buddhism sites in the state.
Foreign tourists also increased interest, Buddhist circuit becomes the center of attraction
According to Tourism and Culture Minister Jayveer Singh, 3,53,461 foreign and 57,94,365 Indian devotees arrived at Buddhist sites in the state in the year 2024. He said that it is a matter of pride for Uttar Pradesh that the Buddhist circuit is becoming a major center of global religious tourism today. Efforts made by the state government for the development and publicity of Buddhist sites are now bringing color.
Kaushambi is the most popular, Kushinagar and Sarnath also buzzed with devotees
According to the data, in the year 2024, the highest number of devotees reached Kaushambi, where a total of 24,74,460 tourists visited the places associated with Lord Buddha. This was followed by 22,42,913 in Kushinagar, 11,80,157 in Sarnath, 1,27,222 in Shravasti, 79,418 in Kapilvastu and 43,656 in Sankisa (Farrukhabad). This number is an indication that these places of Uttar Pradesh have become very important from religious tourism as well as cultural and historical terms.
Number one in domestic tourism, effort to woo foreign tourists
Minister Jayveer Singh said that currently Uttar Pradesh is in the first place in the entire country in domestic tourism. The state government is working at various levels to attract foreign tourists. He said that the original of Buddhism is in Uttar Pradesh itself. Most of the places associated with Tathagata Buddha are located here, which make the state special for Buddhist followers.
New identity from Buddhist resurrection campaign, emphasis on international publicity
The Buddhist revival campaign in Uttar Pradesh has got a new direction between 2023 and 2025. The tourism department organized a special ‘Fam Trip’ for tour operators, monks and media representatives from Buddhist -dominated countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Japan, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia. Through these visits, the cultural, historical and spiritual importance of Buddhist sites was presented on the international stage.
Growing figures are telling the success story of the state
In the year 2022, 48,498 foreigners and 21,91,594 Indian tourists arrived at Buddhist sites. In the year 2024, this number was far higher, which shows the progress of tourism development of the state. This trend makes it clear that Uttar Pradesh is becoming a major center of reverence, peace and cultural prosperity not only for domestic but also for global Buddhist followers.
