A Study of Tourist Satisfaction at Religious Sites in Uttar Pradesh, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2025.v10.n5.010Keywords:
Religious tourism, Visitor experience, Pilgrimage, Cultural heritage, Visitor satisfaction, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura-VrindavanAbstract
This study examines and compares the experiences of (N=435) visitors to three different religious heritage sites: Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Mathura-Vrindavan. The data was collected after the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor renovation in Varanasi and the Sri Ram Lalla Idol consecration in Ayodhya. The questionnaire asked visitors about the facilities, amenities, and their overall experience and satisfaction levels at all three sites. The primary motivations for visiting were devotional. Visitors also reported various other benefits and types of experiences. The findings indicate that the Kashi Vishwanath Temple renovation enhanced visitor satisfaction. The response to the Ram Lalla consecration was highly emotional, and full of devotion. However, infrastructure, hygiene, medical facilities, and crowd management at Mathura-Vrindavan were less satisfactory compared to Varanasi and Ayodhya. Visitors expressed a desire for Mathura-Vrindavan to be developed further, similar to the improvements seen in Varanasi and Ayodhya.
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