Not just spirits (alcohol), but spirituality is also a big business today. Riding on the modernisation of Vrindavan and heavy investments across the Braj region, the Yogi Adityanath government aims to propel India’s growing ‘religious industry’ to new heights.

Since the early 2000s, religion and tourism have become natural allies—faith with a dash of leisure. For states like Uttarakhand, much of the growth story rests firmly on the shoulders of religious tourism. 

हिंदी में पढ़ें : धार्मिक पर्यटन बन रहा है भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था का नया इंजन

Notably, post-independence India has witnessed the proliferation of far more temples and shrines than modern industrial hubs or planned townships. From foreigners seeking nirvana in Rishikesh, Kashi, or Mysore to domestic pilgrims thronging ancient shrines, India’s soft power pays hard cash. The expanding networks of yoga masters, preachers, storytellers, and pilgrimage centres now form a parallel economy estimated at over ₹1 lakh crore, employing millions. 

Religion in India is not merely a matter of faith. From Himalayan silence to the electrifying crowds of the Kumbh Mela, spirituality here sustains families, fuels infrastructure, and drives community-based growth.

The numbers tell the story. India’s religious market was valued at $65 billion in 2024, projections say it will more than double to $135 billion by 2033. The Prayagraj Kumbh Mela alone created an economic impact worth several lakh crore rupees, rivalling global sporting events and expos. 

According to environmentalist Dr Debashish Bhattacharya, this economy extends far beyond temple donations. It powers tier-2 and tier-3 towns through an ecosystem of hoteliers, transporters, guides, vendors, artisans, and food stalls. 

Large shrines today wield economic clout comparable to major corporations. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam gets ~₹650 crore in annual donations, plus ₹75 crore from its laddus. Vaishno Devi Shrine Board earns ~₹500 crore annually, while Shirdi’s Sai Baba Temple gets over 380 kg of gold donations each year. Even a small temple supports livelihoods for at least 25 people—priests, decorators, vendors, and artisans. 

Altogether, the ‘temple economy’ is estimated to sustain 80 million jobs, contributing significantly to GDP. This is not an industry stuck in the past. With meditation and astrology apps, online puja services, and quick-commerce platforms delivering ritual supplies, the sector is fast digitising. Digital sales already account for 18 per cent of the market, while virtual donations are increasingly the norm.

“Worldwide, wellness and spirituality are billion-dollar industries, and India is the natural leader,” says Mysore-based activist Mukta Gupta. Yoga and Ayurveda attract high-spending international seekers. With government policy backing, curated pilgrim circuits—Ramayana Trail, Buddhist Circuit, Sufi Trail—could position India unmistakably as the Spiritual Capital of the World. 

The value extends well beyond currency. This sector enhances India’s global soft power, exporting its culture, Vedic chants, mindfulness practices, classical music, and philosophy. It strengthens mental health, fosters harmony, and preserves traditions that form the bedrock of national identity. 

Government initiatives like the PRASAD scheme aim to improve infrastructure and access at pilgrimage hubs. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor shows how investments in spiritual infrastructure can rejuvenate an entire city’s economy. 

For decades, religion was viewed largely as a matter of politics or sociology. Now, argues commentator Prof Paras Nath Choudhary, it must also be acknowledged for what it truly is—a powerful engine of economic growth.