UP's Religious Tourism Circuits: Connecting Culture, Faith, and Development
Uttar Pradesh develops 12 tourism circuits to promote cultural and religious heritage.
Photo by Vinícius Costa
Key Facts
12 tourism circuits developed in UP
Ramayan Circuit: Ayodhya, Chitrakoot
Krishna-Braj Circuit: Mathura, Vrindavan
Shakti Peeth Circuit: Goddess Shakti centers
Buddhist Circuit: Sarnath, Kushinagar
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper I (Culture and Heritage), GS Paper II (Governance and Development), GS Paper III (Infrastructure Development)
Connects to syllabus points on Indian culture, tourism development, and government policies
Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical, and map-based questions
Visual Insights
Religious Tourism Circuits in Uttar Pradesh
Map showing the major religious tourism circuits in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting key locations and their significance.
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More Information
Background
The concept of religious tourism in India has ancient roots, with pilgrimage being a central aspect of various faiths for centuries. The establishment of major religious centers like Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Mathura dates back millennia, attracting devotees from across the subcontinent. During the Mauryan and Gupta periods, Buddhism flourished, leading to the development of significant Buddhist sites like Sarnath and Kushinagar.
The Bhakti and Sufi movements further enriched the religious landscape, fostering syncretic traditions and promoting pilgrimage to Sufi shrines and temples. The British colonial era saw the formalization of tourism infrastructure, but religious sites remained primarily driven by faith-based travel rather than organized tourism circuits. Post-independence, the government has increasingly focused on promoting religious tourism as a means of economic development and cultural preservation.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there's been a significant push towards infrastructure development around religious sites. The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the redevelopment of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor are prime examples. The Union Ministry of Tourism has launched schemes like PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) to enhance pilgrimage experiences.
Furthermore, there's a growing emphasis on sustainable tourism practices at these sites, including waste management and eco-friendly transportation. The use of digital technologies, such as virtual tours and online booking platforms, is also becoming increasingly prevalent. Looking ahead, the focus is expected to be on creating integrated tourism experiences that combine religious, cultural, and natural attractions, thereby attracting a wider range of tourists and boosting local economies.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the PRASHAD scheme: 1. It is a central sector scheme focused on holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations. 2. The scheme aims to integrate religious tourism with other forms of tourism, such as eco-tourism and cultural tourism. 3. The Ministry of Culture is the nodal agency for the implementation of the scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency for the PRASHAD scheme, not the Ministry of Culture.
2. Which of the following circuits is NOT specifically mentioned as a major tourism circuit developed by the Uttar Pradesh government?
- A.Ramayana Circuit
- B.Buddhist Circuit
- C.Himalayan Circuit
- D.Krishna-Braj Circuit
Show Answer
Answer: C
The Himalayan Circuit is not mentioned in the provided summary as one of the major tourism circuits developed by the Uttar Pradesh government.
3. Assertion (A): Religious tourism can significantly contribute to the economic development of a region. Reason (R): Increased tourist footfall leads to higher revenue generation for local businesses and employment opportunities. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true, but R is false
- D.A is false, but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why religious tourism contributes to economic development.
4. Match List I (Religious/Cultural Site) with List II (Associated Circuit) and select the correct answer using the code given below: List I (a) Ayodhya (b) Sarnath (c) Mathura (d) Chitrakoot List II 1. Buddhist Circuit 2. Ramayana Circuit 3. Krishna-Braj Circuit Code:
- A.a-2, b-1, c-3, d-2
- B.a-1, b-2, c-3, d-1
- C.a-3, b-1, c-2, d-3
- D.a-2, b-3, c-1, d-2
Show Answer
Answer: A
Ayodhya is associated with the Ramayana Circuit, Sarnath with the Buddhist Circuit, Mathura with the Krishna-Braj Circuit, and Chitrakoot with the Ramayana Circuit.