Patna: Bihar’s Gaya is witnessing a sharp rise in religious tourism, with the number of visitors attending the annual Pitru Paksha Mela increasing nearly four-fold over the past four years. The state Tourism Department is now preparing for an estimated 50 lakh visitors this year.
The Pitru Paksha Mela, which draws devotees seeking pind daan and salvation for their ancestors, will begin on September 25. Preparations are being expanded from Gaya Ji to Punpun to manage the expected increase in footfall and provide visitors with accommodation, transport, food, pilgrimage and tourism-related facilities.
Tourist Footfall Rises From 9.40 Lakh to 34.79 Lakh
The growth in visitor numbers has been particularly significant since 2022.
In 2022, Gaya recorded around 9.40 lakh visitors, including nearly 9.38 lakh domestic tourists and 1,518 foreign visitors.
The number increased sharply to 29.89 lakh in 2023, comprising around 29.06 lakh domestic and 82,000 foreign tourists.
In 2024, total tourist arrivals rose further to 30.59 lakh. Of these, around 29.04 lakh were domestic tourists and 1.55 lakh were foreign visitors.
The upward trend continued in 2025, when Gaya recorded 34.79 lakh visitors, including nearly 34.77 lakh domestic tourists and 1,807 foreign tourists.
The figures show that Gaya’s religious tourism is attracting a steadily larger number of visitors, putting greater pressure on accommodation, transportation and public facilities during the annual pilgrimage season.
Read Also: Bihar’s Bank Sakhi Revolution: 6,700+ Women Drive ₹23,200 Crore in Rural Transactions
50 Lakh Visitors Expected This Year
With the Tourism Department expecting the number of visitors to touch around 50 lakh this year, the state has widened preparations for the upcoming fair.
A major focus is temporary accommodation. A modern 2,500-bed tent city is being developed in Gaya to provide additional lodging facilities to pilgrims.
Another 1,000-bed modern Dharamshala is also being arranged for visitors.
At Punpun Ghat, a large pandal with a capacity to accommodate around 5,000 people at one time is being constructed.
These facilities are intended to ease the pressure on existing accommodation and ensure that pilgrims have access to organised spaces during the peak period.
Information Centres and Helpline for Pilgrims
The state is also working to make navigation and access to essential services easier for visitors.
Tourist information centres and a dedicated helpline are being arranged to provide information about routes, accommodation, pind daan locations and other facilities.
For local movement, e-rickshaws will be made available to help visitors travel between important locations.
The department also plans to deploy trained guides who can explain the religious and historical significance of Gaya and its surrounding attractions.
Hotels and dharamshalas are also being strengthened to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.
Focus on Gaya to Punpun
The preparations are not limited to Gaya alone. The Tourism Department is developing facilities along the wider pilgrimage route from Gaya Ji to Punpun, recognising the large movement of devotees during Pitru Paksha.
The objective is to bring accommodation, transport, religious services and visitor assistance together so that pilgrims can complete their rituals with fewer logistical difficulties.
The expansion is particularly important as the visitor base has grown substantially within a short period. The jump from 9.40 lakh visitors in 2022 to 34.79 lakh in 2025 indicates a significant increase in demand for public infrastructure during the fair.
Religious Tourism Gains Momentum in Bihar
Gaya holds a prominent place on India’s religious tourism map because of its association with pind daan and rituals performed for ancestors during Pitru Paksha.
The continued increase in visitors also creates opportunities for the local economy. Hotels, dharamshalas, transport operators, guides, food businesses, local shops and other tourism-linked services are likely to benefit from the larger visitor base.
For the government, however, the growing footfall also means that crowd management, sanitation, accommodation, transport and visitor safety need to keep pace with demand.
The new tent city, additional accommodation, large-capacity pandal, information centres, helpline, e-rickshaws and trained guides are therefore part of a broader effort to improve the pilgrimage experience.
With the Pitru Paksha Mela beginning on September 25, Bihar is preparing for what could become one of Gaya’s largest visitor seasons yet. The projected 50 lakh footfall, if achieved, would mark another major jump in the city’s religious tourism journey.
The sustained rise in visitors also highlights Gaya’s growing importance as a religious and cultural tourism destination, while creating a need for continued investment in infrastructure and visitor services.
Read Also: Bihar’s Solar Surge: Rooftop Panel Installations Jump Four-Fold in Just Eight Months
