Stillness in motion

In a world increasingly defined by noise, haste, and hyperconnectivity, a quiet revolution is underway—one that’s turning India into a sanctuary for the soul.

From yoga retreats nestled along Karnataka’s palm-swathed coasts to Sufi-inspired sanctuaries in the Himalayas in Kashmir, spiritual tourism in India is no longer a fringe interest—it is a booming industry. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, spiritual and wellness tourism now accounts for nearly 60% of India’s domestic travel, with international numbers steadily surging after the pandemic.

This segment, once the exclusive preserve of ascetics and seekers, is being reshaped by a younger, global audience that’s swapping party getaways for purposeful journeys. At the heart of this movement are a growing constellation of immersive, soul-nurturing retreats—places that are not just escapes from the world but doorways into deeper living.

Where comfort meets consciousness

A glowing example of spiritual tourism done right is Shreyas Retreat, an elegant oasis on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Spread across 25 acres of organic gardens and coconut groves, the retreat marries traditional Indian spirituality with understated luxury. There are no televisions in the rooms. The cuisine is sattvic and vegetarian. And the programming ranges from yoga and meditation to community service, farming, and introspective silence.

“Spiritual tourism is at an all-time high, especially since the pandemic,” observes Rucha Sukhramani, a founding member of the retreat. “Travellers are seeking not just wellness but spiritual depth—experiences that help them slow down, reconnect, and find meaning.”

Many guests arrive at a crossroads—grappling with grief, burnout, or a desire to rediscover purpose. “Spirituality can offer comfort during transitions, loss, or illness. It provides a framework for understanding life’s challenges and our place in the universe.”

The retreat’s offerings are minimalist by design—emphasizing silence, breathwork, clean eating, and intentional living. In a hyper-connected world, this return to simplicity is nothing short of radical.

The ancient made accessible

India’s spiritual appeal is hardly new. From the Vedic traditions of Sanatan Dharma to the teachings of Buddha and the Bhakti movement, seekers have flocked to the subcontinent for millennia. But what’s changed is how these experiences are being delivered.

“India has always been the land of spirituality,” says Shan Bhatnagar, interior designer and co-owner of Laalee, a charming spiritual retreat located in the heart of Jaipur. “Finally, the world is waking up to the amazing gifts India offers—yoga, Krishna consciousness, ayurveda, meditation. But now, properties are making these experiences accessible, comfortable, and deeply immersive.”

This evolution, adds Bhatnagar, is key to why spiritual tourism is seeing a sharp uptick among younger travellers. At Laalee, the design itself becomes part of the journey. Earthy colours, handwoven fabrics, hand-painted murals, calming alcoves, books in rooms instead of TV sets, and sattvic food create sanctuaries within the space—each encouraging guests to pause and reflect.

A soulful homecoming

Whether it’s chanting in the forests of Jhansi, meditating beside a Himalayan lake, or sipping herbal tea after a yoga session in Jaipur, India’s spiritual tourism boom is rooted in an ancient hunger—for peace, purpose, and presence. “People are not looking for a vacation. They’re looking for a shift. And India, in all its chaos and calm, gives them that,” explains Delhi-based travel curator Vani Verma who books six to seven curated spiritual experiences for clients each month.

What makes spiritual travel in India so magnetic isn’t the infrastructure, the rituals, or even the breathtaking locales. “It’s the possibility of being changed. Of discovering, within the journey, a return to self,” she adds.

Spiritual tourism vs religious tourism

While often conflated, spiritual tourism and religious tourism are often used interchangeably although both are fundamentally different in both intention and experience, clarify travel experts. Religious tourism—also dubbed ‘shrinecations’—is typically rooted in faith-based practices. It involves visits to sacred shrines, temples, mosques, or churches to participate in rituals, festivals, or pilgrimages.

“The focus is usually on outward expressions of devotion, often tied to a specific religion or tradition. For instance, yatras to Vaishno Devi, the Kumbh Mela, or a Hajj pilgrimage are deeply religious in nature, guided by collective rituals and theological purpose,” shares Delhi-based travel agent Ragini Nair.

However, spiritual tourism, adds Nair, is far more personal and inward-facing. It transcends religion, attracting seekers from diverse backgrounds who may not identify with any one faith. The emphasis is on inner transformation, healing, mindfulness, and self-discovery. Spiritual tourists often visit retreats, ashrams, or nature-based sanctuaries to meditate, practice yoga, or engage in silence and introspection. It is experiential rather than doctrinal—more about being than believing.

A new kind of pilgrimage

However, the most striking shift in India’s spiritual tourism boom is the surge of interest among millennials and the Gen Z. “Today’s youth are increasingly aware of the need to realign,” elaborates Sukhramani. “There’s a growing awareness that a life focussed only on chasing sensory gratification wears us out. Young people are learning to seek inward.”

Social media has played a catalytic role in this evolution. Hashtags like #SpiritualRetreat, #SlowTravel, and #DigitalDetox now flood platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Young influencers document their journeys to Dharamshala, Rishikesh, or Goa—not through selfies but reflections on breathwork, mantra chanting, and the beauty of doing nothing.

For Rohan Mehta, a 28-year-old tech analyst from Mumbai, a stay at Shreyas was transformative. “I always dismissed spirituality as something for ‘older’ people. But yoga, meditation, and just eating mindfully—it shifted something in me. I came back with a sense of clarity I didn’t know I’d lost.”

Government support and industry growth

The Indian government has recognized this growing demand and is actively fostering spiritual tourism through policy and infrastructure. The PRASHAD scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) is pumping funds into sacred towns like Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Amritsar, upgrading access and amenities. Spiritual tourism circuits are being promoted in Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar.

States are also encouraging eco-retreats and slow tourism through subsidies, training, and green certification processes. Airports, roads, and wellness zones near spiritual hotspots are being prioritised in national tourism plans. According to industry projections, India’s spiritual and wellness tourism market is poised to surpass $40 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of over 10%. This positions it as one of the most resilient and promising sectors in India’s post-pandemic travel economy.

Spiritual tourism linked to a socio-cultural shift 

Amar Kapoor, Founder & CEO of Terra Grande by Eldeco, shares that spiritual tourism is an offshoot  of the growing cultural shift towards slow and sustainable living. “In recent years spirituality is being redefined by the millennials and the Gen Z for whom it’s about creating the space to pause and reflect. For many, the idea of spirituality now is as simple as sitting on a veranda and watching the clouds roll past or walking a forest trail that reminds you of your smallness in a vast landscape.”

This is partly the reason, adds Kapoor, why Indians are also looking at not just vacationing in quiet places but even buying homes there. “For earlier generations, a second home in the mountains was largely about escape, a long weekend, a break from the city, maybe even a marker of success but today, people are not looking for just a holiday home; they’re looking for an anchor. A place that allows them to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and belong to something deeper.”   

This lifestyle shift underscores a larger cultural pivot, adds Varun Nagpal, founder of Vianaar Homes, an international real estate company. "For our homeowners, it’s all about slowing down, enjoying just being in nature, walking barefoot in the garden, watching their  kids play outside, or even doing nothing at all. That’s what true luxury really is. It comes from the freedom to just be. And in that stillness, you find a way to connect with yourself.”

Their company’s homes, adds Nagpal, are crafted around these mindful principles surrounded by nature and filled with open areas, verandahs, gardens and balcao (balcony) that invite the outdoors in. “The idea is simple: when you live in a place where nature is a part of your everyday life, it changes the way you feel, bringing calm, balance, and a deeper sense of belonging." 

Market analysts add that this interesting emerging trend underscores that the pursuit of spiritual tourism is no longer confined to short-term getaways but is shaping where—and how—people choose to live. “By embracing India’s timeless wisdom, modern seekers are even turning their homes into sanctuaries of slow, intentional living,” explains asset manager Vinay Karthik. “Travellers are extending their search for stillness beyond retreats and ashrams to investing in homes that mirror this philosophy of conscious living.”

Destinations like Goa, Dharamshala, Sirmaur, and Kerala are witnessing a surge in interest not just from seekers of temporary solace but also from high-net worth professionals and retirees keen on permanent relocation. Boutique homestays, eco-villas, and wellness-centric gated communities are springing up, designed to harmonise with nature while fostering community, self-care, and reflection aligning people’s lifestyles with values of simplicity, sustainability, and inner peace.