# India's Pilgrimage Trips Outpace Holidays

> 47.7% of Indian domestic trips for religion, not holidays.
- Title: India's Pilgrimage Trips Outpace Holidays · The Economic Times
- Summary: 47.7% of Indian domestic trips for religion, not holidays. A government survey shows 47.7% of India's domestic overnight trips are for religious pilgrimage…
- Keywords: india, domestic tourism, pilgrimage, religion, overnight trips, government survey, dtes, India's, Trips, Outpace, Holidays, The Economic Times
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/travel/forget-holidays-indians-travelled-most-for-religion-47-7-of-domestic-overnight-trips-were-for-pilgrimage-govt-survey-reveals/articleshow/134444674.cms
- Author: ET Bureau
- Published: 2026-09-23T18:46:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: india, domestic tourism, pilgrimage, religion, overnight trips, government survey, dtes
## Government Survey Finds
India's domestic overnight trips show 47.7% for religious pilgrimage.

> Pilgrimage and religious travel comprised nearly half of domestic overnight trips
## Religious Travel Dominates
Religious travel accounted for 47.7% of trips in the last year.

> Religious travel accounted for the largest share of overnight trips
## Health Travel Second in Rural
Health travel led rural trips at 38.4%.

> Health and medical travel was the second-largest category in rural areas
## Holidays Rank Second Urban
Holidays were second in cities at 36.4%.

> Holidaying, leisure and recreation ranked second in urban areas
## Rural Trips Increased
Rural households made 127 trips per 100 households in 2026.

> Rural tourist households made 127 trips per 100 households
## Key takeaway

A government survey shows 47.7% of India's domestic overnight trips are for religious pilgrimage, surpassing holidays as the top travel purpose.