Mahakumbh 2025: The Spiritual Spectacle Powering India's Tourism and Economy

Mahakumbh 2025: The Spiritual Spectacle Powering India's Tourism and Economy

By Nishang Narayan

Published on February 5, 2025

The Mahakumbh Mela 2025, currently underway in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is the world’s largest spiritual congregation, deeply rooted in Hindu traditions. Beyond its religious and cultural significance, the Maha Kumbh is playing a pivotal role in driving India's spiritual tourism sector, attracting millions of visitors and generating substantial economic activity.

Authorities project that Mahakumbh 2025 will welcome over 400 million pilgrims, including a growing number of international visitors. By January 19, 2025, over 73 million people had already attended. In response to this unprecedented scale, the Uttar Pradesh government has allocated ₹7,500 crore for infrastructure upgrades, a sharp increase from the ₹4,200 crore spent in 2019. The event is expected to generate ₹2 lakh crore in direct revenue, with total transactions projected between ₹2–4 lakh crore, contributing over 1% to India’s GDP.

Economic Ripple Effects Across Sectors

The economic impact of the Maha Kumbh extends across multiple industries, particularly in travel, hospitality, and local businesses. With surging domestic and international travel bookings, airlines, railways, and private transport operators are witnessing unprecedented demand.

Gopal Krishna Agarwal, National Spokesperson of BJP for Economic Affairs, highlights the broader impact:

"Maha Kumbh's spiritual significance is attracting global attention, fostering greater interest in India as a travel destination. Besides its religious importance, Maha Kumbh serves as an economic catalyst, transforming various sectors of India. It's a massive economic and cultural phenomenon, generating multi-billion rupees worth of economic activity and empowering local businesses. In addition, the government's tireless efforts ensure Maha Kumbh creates a ripple effect on global interest in India's spiritual tourism potential. Further, initiatives like the Maitri Bodh Cultural Economic Summit align with this phenomenon, fostering collaboration between culture and economy, showcasing India's economic strength rooted in our heritage."

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Hospitality Sector Sees Unprecedented Growth

The hospitality industry is a key beneficiary of the Maha Kumbh, with the event extending beyond Prayagraj into cities like Varanasi, Lucknow, and Kanpur, driving an increased demand for hotels, transport, and tourism services. Many visitors are extending their trips to explore historical and cultural sites, leading to a significant rise in bookings.

Ambika Saxena, CEO of TWH Hospitality, emphasizes this shift:

"Maha Kumbh is not just a spiritual gathering but a transformative economic force reshaping India's hospitality and tourism landscape. The unprecedented influx of domestic and international visitors is driving an unparalleled demand for accommodations, transport, and hospitality services, creating immense opportunities for innovation and investment. This event exemplifies how cultural heritage can be a powerful engine of economic growth, reinforcing India's position as a global tourism powerhouse. We see this as more than just an opportunity. It is a responsibility to elevate India's global standing and redefine the future of spiritual tourism."

Positioning India as a Global Spiritual Tourism Hub

Mahakumbh 2025 is a unifying force, seamlessly blending faith with commerce and driving long-term economic growth. The sheer scale of the event and the government’s investment in infrastructure reinforce India’s position as a leading destination for spiritual and cultural tourism. With millions of visitors and sustained global interest, the Maha Kumbh is set to further strengthen India’s status as a premier spiritual tourism hub, attracting both religious travelers and cultural enthusiasts for years to come.


SpiceJet Announces Special Diwali Flights to Ayodhya from Key Indian Cities

SpiceJet Announces Special Diwali Flights to Ayodhya from Key Indian Cities

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 7, 2025

SpiceJet has announced the launch of daily non-stop flights connecting Ayodhya with Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad starting October 8, 2025. The initiative coincides with the Diwali festive season, making travel to the Shri Ram Temple easier for devotees and tourists while reinforcing SpiceJet’s commitment to affordable and accessible travel.

The new services will be introduced in a phased manner to ensure seamless connectivity and reliable operations. SpiceJet also revealed that flights from Mumbai to Ayodhya are under consideration to meet the growing travel demand during the festive and winter seasons.

Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer, SpiceJet, said, “There could be no better occasion than Diwali to visit Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram. We are delighted to make travel to the holy city easier and more convenient for devotees and tourists alike. Our new daily flights from key metros will ensure smooth and affordable access to Ayodhya during Diwali, allowing passengers to celebrate the festival in its most divine setting.”

The special Diwali flight services are expected to cater to increased passenger traffic, offering greater flexibility for travellers from major Indian cities. This network expansion strengthens SpiceJet’s domestic reach while supporting religious and seasonal tourism.

SpiceJet, an IATA-IOSA certified airline, operates a fleet of Boeing 737s and Q-400s and continues to be among India’s largest regional carriers under the UDAN scheme. The airline remains focused on expanding its network to meet cultural and regional travel needs across the country.


Qantas to Resume Non-Stop Delhi–Melbourne Flights Ahead of India–Australia T20

Qantas to Resume Non-Stop Delhi–Melbourne Flights Ahead of India–Australia T20

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 7, 2025

Qantas, Australia’s largest airline and national carrier, has announced the return of its non-stop flights between Delhi and Melbourne, set to begin on 27 October 2025. Operating three times a week until 28 March 2026, the service re-establishes a key route in the airline’s India–Australia network ahead of the busy travel and cricket season.

The reinstated connection offers Indian travellers direct access to Melbourne, one of Australia’s most popular cities known for its cultural diversity, culinary appeal, and proximity to iconic attractions such as the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley, and Phillip Island.

The timing of the relaunch coincides with major cricket fixtures, including the India–Australia T20 match scheduled for 31 October at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The first Qantas flight on this route will land in Melbourne on 28 October, giving fans convenient access to the event and the city’s vibrant summer sporting calendar, which also features the Ashes and Big Bash League tournaments.

Cam Wallace, CEO of Qantas International, said, “We’re delighted to bring back our non-stop connection between Delhi and Melbourne, just in time for the busy travel season. Flying direct significantly reduces travel time to Australia, and these new flights are perfectly suited for Indian fans attending cricket events in Melbourne, including the T20 series in late October, the Ashes and Big Bash League later in the year.”

He added, “To help support our growing presence in India, we have opened new offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to service our Indian customers, and promote our non-stop flights to Sydney and Melbourne.”

The flights will be operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft, featuring 26 lie-flat Business Class suites and 204 Economy seats. Across three weekly return services, Qantas will offer over 1,300 seats per week between Delhi and Melbourne, adding more than 30,000 seats during the peak travel season.


Sri Lanka Launches Three-City Roadshow Across Southern India

Sri Lanka Launches Three-City Roadshow Across Southern India

By Hariharan U

Published on October 4, 2025

Sri Lanka Tourism is intensifying its efforts to attract Indian travellers with a three-city roadshow series across Southern India. Scheduled for Madurai, Coimbatore, and Chennai on October 6, 8, and 10, 2025 respectively, the initiative will highlight Sri Lanka’s diverse tourism offerings and strengthen ties with the Indian travel industry.

Organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), the roadshows will feature B2B sessions and networking evenings designed to showcase Sri Lanka as a year-round destination for all types of travellers. The events will introduce Indian travel agents and industry professionals to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, its vibrant attractions, and growing opportunities for leisure and MICE travel.

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“This initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening its position as a preferred destination for Indian travellers, offering a blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and world-class hospitality,” said the delegation led by Mr. Vijitha Herath, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, and Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism.

The delegation includes over 40 stakeholders from across Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, including destination management companies, hotels, resorts, tour operators, and service providers. Each city’s event will host over 200 participants, comprising Indian travel agents, industry leaders, and media representatives.

Adding a vibrant touch to the experience, a Sri Lankan cultural dance troupe will perform at each venue, offering guests a glimpse into the island’s rich heritage and traditions.

About SLTPB & SLCB

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau is the government agency responsible for marketing and promoting Sri Lanka as a travel destination. Working closely with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, SLCB, and other stakeholders, SLTPB aims to position Sri Lanka as South Asia’s leading tourist destination.

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau focuses on promoting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel to Sri Lanka. With world-class venues and improved accessibility, SLCB facilitates event planning for international corporations, associations, and incentive houses. India remains a key market for the bureau’s promotional activities.

Both organisations operate under the Ministry of Foreign Employment, Foreign Affairs & Tourism of Sri Lanka, combining efforts to promote the country’s leisure and business tourism offerings.

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