Tamil Nadu: Pilgrim tourism potential yet to be exploited
Chennai : It’s faith and
spiritual attachment to the religious deity or destination that drives the
domestic tourism in the country and tamil nadu is no exception. But nearly
60-70 per cent of the domestic travel in India is for pilgrimage, yet the
religious tourism segment has not been exploited fully in an organized manner,
claim tourism industry sources.
TN’s diverse tourism
potential like temples, historical places, pilgrim centres, beach resorts, hill
stations, wildlife sanctuaries, monuments and archaeological sites, art and
architecture, among others makes it all the more attractive and year long
destination.
“Most of the spiritual
destinations developed long ago, and realizing their importance, the government
has been bestowing importance to improving infrastructure and improving
connectivity,” a senior tourism official said.
The other distinct aspect
to religious tourism is the foreign tourists for whom the destinations and the
religious practices have the dimension of uniqueness. And the diverse beliefs
or faiths have gains ground as tourist attraction, he pointed out and added
that since the days of yore- Chera, Cholas, Pandiyas, Tamil Nadu has been
attracting visitors as it was dominated by Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism,
Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism and Vaishanivism.
“Among the religious
destinations, Rameswaram, Tiruchendur, Palani, Tiruvannamalai, Nagore,
Kancheepuram, Chennai and Madurai top the destinations. Periodically, we take
up joint works with Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments to improve
amenities and we also operate tours to select destinations.” A senior TTDC
official said when contacted.
During the previous
fiscal, the tourism department has spent 5.15 crore on improving the hill road
to Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Chennimalai besides the panchayat roads in
Srivaikundam in Tuticorin district and also the roads in Viralimalai in
Pudukottai district.
Ramayana circuit - a fillip to religious tourism: Spiritual or
religious tourism can be safely defined as an urge to travel with the desire to
experience the religious faith and also explore the art, culture, tradition and
architecture of the region.
The centre’s initiative to
launch the Ramayana circuit (under Swadesh Darshan Scheme) by including
Rameswaram in the state is expected to give a fillip to religious tourism. In addition,
the inclusion of Kancheepuram and Vellankanni under the National Mission on
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation drive (PRASAD) is also
expected to drive the domestic and foreign tourists to TN.
The growth of the domestic
tourism largely depends on pilgrimage tourism, according to Union tourism
ministry sources. And hence the decision to develop the circuits.
Madurai among 10 clean
tourist spots: the union government has included the renowned Sri Meenakshi
Sunderashwar Temple, Madurai among the 10 tourist destinations across the
country under its ambitious Swachh Bharat programme. The 10 tourists spot
include Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir, Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, Tirupati
in Andra Pradesh, Golden Temple in Punjab, Ajmer sharif in Rajasthan, Lord
Jagannath temple in Odissa and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai,
Maharastra. Others are Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Sri
Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu and Kamakhya Temple in Assam. Similarly the
government has identified 10 reserves- Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh,
Tadoba Reserve in Maharastra, Flamingo Santurary in Maharashtra, Nagarhoe Tiger
Reserve in Karnataka, periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala, Sariska Tiger Reserve in
Rajasthanm Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu and Jim Corbett Reserve in
Uttarkhand – for launching the Swachh Bharat Mission.
