Prospects and Challenges of Pilgrimage Tourism in India: A Case Study of Shirdi, Maharashtra

Abstract

The oldest idea or original art of travel is pilgrimage tourism, which has a shorter history than modern tourism. Modern tourism was sparked by pilgrimages to sacred and holy locations. Hindu pilgrimages, known as tirtha yatras, appear to have originated and developed from a custom that predates even their civilization. There has been an incredible improvement in the expansion of pilgrimage tourism in Maharashtra. The fast increase in the influx of pilgrims significantly contributes to the regions sustainable development by producing socio-economic advantages including enhancing educational resources, fostering global awareness and national integration, opening up of new growth centres, creating jobs & raising domestic incomes healthcare facilities and effective demand of new infrastructure is a constant. Simultaneously, removal of regional disparities is crucial. The unrestrained & uncontrolled rapid expansion of pilgrimage tourism imposes significant costs on the environment and destruction of the environment, depletion of local resources, and other socio cultural and economic issues. The trust or the government should provide funding for such efforts of environmental conservation & protection. Boosting the natural areas economic significance, and encouraging locals & tourists in awareness of environmental values to protect these natural resources for future generations. The study came to conclusion that there is a favourable correlation between the rise in pilgrimage tourism and other forms of tourism, and that this expansion greatly aids in the host populations sustainable development. Taking Shirdi Sansthan Trust as a case study, a famous pilgrimage destination in Maharashtra, India.

Keywords: Tourism, Maharashtra, India, Pilgrimage Tourism, Sustainability, Development

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