Uttar Pradesh Becomes India’s Most Visited State in 2025, Driven by Mahakumbh Tourism Boom

Uttar Pradesh has firmly positioned itself as India’s most visited state, recording an unprecedented surge in tourist footfall in 2025. According to official data from the Ministry of Tourism, the state welcomed over 137 crore domestic tourists, along with 3.66 lakh international visitors, making it the leading destination for domestic tourism and ranking fourth nationwide for foreign tourist arrivals.

This remarkable achievement highlights Uttar Pradesh’s growing stature as a global spiritual and cultural tourism hub, powered by strategic planning, infrastructure development, and large-scale religious events.
 

Mahakumbh 2025: The Biggest Tourism Catalyst

The single largest contributor to this historic milestone was the Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, which witnessed a record-breaking footfall of more than 66 crore devotees. Considered the world’s largest spiritual gathering, the Mahakumbh not only showcased India’s rich religious traditions but also demonstrated Uttar Pradesh’s ability to manage mega tourism events on a global scale.

Enhanced connectivity, improved ghats, upgraded accommodation facilities, and seamless crowd management played a crucial role in supporting this massive influx of pilgrims.
 

Rise of Key Spiritual Destinations

Beyond Prayagraj, several cities in Uttar Pradesh emerged as major tourism magnets in 2025.
Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura–Vrindavan, and Shravasti saw a steady rise in visitor numbers, driven by redevelopment of temples, improved public infrastructure, and curated spiritual experiences.

Signature cultural events such as Deepotsav, Dev Deepawali, Rangotsav, and Magh Mela further strengthened the state’s appeal, attracting travelers from across India and overseas
 

Major Investments in Tourism Infrastructure

To sustain this growth, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department launched development projects worth over INR 1,283 crore during the year. These initiatives focused on heritage conservation, pilgrim amenities, and modern tourism infrastructure.

Key projects included:

• Beautification of ghats in Varanasi

• Development of tourism circuits in Chitrakoot

• Tourist facility centres along the Ram Van Gaman Marg

• Restoration of historically significant temples and heritage sites across multiple districts

In addition, new district-level tourism projects and initiatives under the Mukhyamantri Tourism Development Cooperation Scheme supported localized tourism growth.
 

Strong Policy Support and Investor Confidence

The success of Uttar Pradesh’s tourism sector has been reinforced by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022, which encourages private investment and sustainable development.
So far, 1,700+ tourism units have been registered, with investment proposals exceeding INR 37,000 crore, reflecting strong investor confidence in the state’s tourism potential.

Global Promotion and International Visibility

Uttar Pradesh’s tourism promotion efforts extended beyond national borders. The state actively participated in leading international travel and cultural platforms across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, strengthening its visibility among global travelers, tour operators, and investors.

At the national level, targeted outreach programs and travel expos helped position Uttar Pradesh as a year-round destination rather than a seasonal pilgrimage hub.
 

Youth, Culture, and Community Engagement

A strong emphasis was placed on youth participation and skill development through initiatives such as the CM Tourism Fellowship Program. Youth Tourism Teams were formed across all districts to assist travelers, promote local heritage, and enhance visitor experiences.

Educational initiatives, heritage quizzes, photography contests, and guided tours for students played an important role in spreading awareness about cultural conservation.

Rural Tourism and Homestay Growth

Rural tourism and homestay programs emerged as powerful tools for inclusive growth. These initiatives encouraged self-employment while reviving folk traditions, regional cuisine, and local craftsmanship, allowing travelers to experience the authentic cultural fabric of Uttar Pradesh.
 

A New Era for Uttar Pradesh Tourism

With sustained investments, visionary leadership, and a focus on cultural preservation, Uttar Pradesh is rapidly transforming into a world-class tourism destination. The state’s success in 2025 marks not just a record in numbers, but a shift toward structured, sustainable, and globally competitive tourism.

For travelers, tour operators, and investors alike, Uttar Pradesh now stands as a compelling destination offering spiritual depth, historical richness, and modern tourism infrastructure-all in one journey.