Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi: How UP came up with ‘Spiritual Triangle’ pilgrimage

Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi drew a combined 116.39 crore visits last year. Now, Uttar Pradesh has turned that pilgrimage footfall into a single travel circuit, packaging the three cities as a ‘Spiritual Triangle’ based on findings from a survey of 3.52 lakh Maha Kumbh pilgrims.

Officials told The Indian Express that the survey, conducted during last year’s Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, found Ayodhya, the Sangam in Prayagraj and Varanasi among the most preferred spiritual destinations. The findings, according to the UP State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC), also pointed to interest in travelling between the three destinations.

Ayodhya emerged as the most preferred destination, with 22.55% of respondents naming it, followed by the Sangam in Prayagraj at 19.96% and Varanasi at 12.72%. The responses also showed different patterns when pilgrims were asked about where they had travelled previously and where they planned to go next.

Ayodhya was cited by 27.32% of respondents as their last spiritual destination, compared with 8.81% for Varanasi. For their next destination, the Sangam was the most popular choice at 32.57%, followed by Ayodhya at 12.46% and Varanasi at 7.46%.

Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism, Culture and Religious Affairs) and UPSTDC Chairman Amrit Abhijat said the survey helped establish the basis for a “common tourism identity”. “The survey highlighted more than individual preference for Ayodhya, Kashi (Varanasi) or Prayagraj.

It showed movement between the three destinations. The ‘Spiritual Triangle’ will help them follow a simple travel plan,” Abhijat said. The three cities have recorded 31.37 crore visits in the first quarter of 2026 — 22.72 crore in Prayagraj, 6.40 crore in Ayodhya and 2.25 crore in Varanasi.

Officials said linking them could also encourage visitors to stay longer and spend across accommodation, transport, food, sightseeing and local purchases. The UPSTDC package under its ‘Visit My State’ campaign starts in Varanasi and ends in Ayodhya, covering all three cities over four days.

The first day covers the Sankat Mochan Temple, Durga Kund, Assi Ghat, a boat ride and Ganga Aarti. The second day combines Kashi Vishwanath and other sites and institutions such as Sarnath and Banaras Hindu University. The tour moves to Prayagraj, with stops at Anand Bhavan, the Sangam and Lete Hanuman Ji Temple.