Prayagraj Tourism Makeover, ‘City of Temple Corridors’ Gets Prepared for Ardhkumbh 2031

The Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled an ambitious initiative to establish Prayagraj as the "City of Temple Corridors," aimed at enhancing the city’s spiritual tourism appeal following Mahakumbh 2025 and in advance preparation for Ardh Kumbh 2031. Aparajita Singh, Regional Tourism Officer of Prayagraj, announced that the comprehensive initiative will focus on promoting and developing newly constructed temple corridors while integrating key religious sites across this historic city. The strategic plan positions Prayagraj tourism as a year-round destination for religious tourism enthusiasts from across the globe.

As part of the modernization efforts, the state has introduced a sophisticated tourism tracker, a digital monitoring system designed to analyze visitor data and evaluate the performance of major religious and tourist destinations. According to officials quoted in a recent HT report, the system will provide monthly insights on domestic and international footfall, accommodation occupancy stats, transport logistics, and event execution efficiency.

"The tracker will help identify areas requiring attention or investment, ensuring a more seamless experience for pilgrims and visitors," stated tourism department officials.
The initiative encompasses significant investment in revitalizing prominent religious sites that have remained neglected for extended periods. Key developments include:

• Dwadash Madhav Cluster revamping with an investment exceeding Rs 129 crore
• Bade Hanuman Temple (Lete hue Hanuman Ji) restoration at Sangam
• Akshayvat and Saraswati Well enhancement projects
• Bhardwaj Ashram comprehensive development

These temple corridors will feature regular Ganga Aarti ceremonies and cultural evening programs, complemented by multilingual signage installations, to be issued by the municipal corporation. The current developments serve as a precursor to Ardh Kumbh 2031, with authorities implementing long-term strategies to accommodate an anticipated massive influx of pilgrims and tourists from across the globe. The comprehensive planning reflects the government's commitment to establishing Prayagraj as a premier religious tourism destination. As Prayagraj is preparing to host a mega tourism conclave designed to engage travel agencies, tour operators, and hospitality industry stakeholders to promote sustainable year-round tourism, this initiative aims to boost religious tourism while simultaneously creating new business and employment opportunities for local communities.

Significant efforts are underway to upgrade infrastructure, particularly within the hospitality sector, to manage the expected tourist influx effectively. In an unprecedented move, the government is considering registration of dharmashalas with the tourism department, integrating these traditional accommodation facilities into the broader tourism ecosystem. This comprehensive approach to developing Prayagraj tourism infrastructure demonstrates the state's commitment to positioning it as a world-class destination for religious tourism, building upon the success of Mahakumbh 2025 and setting robust foundations for Ardh Kumbh 2031.