Uttar Pradesh, in recent times, has become a tourism hotspot – breaking records with 47.61 crore tourist arrivals in the state between January and September 2024. Ayodhyawhich is home to Shri Ram Temple, has emerged as the most visited destination of the state, surpassing the prestigious Taj Mahal,

According to the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, Ayodhya received 13.55 crore domestic tourists and 3,153 international tourists during this period. Thanks to all for the inauguration of the iconic Ram Temple – which has inspired this unprecedented surge.

On the other hand, Agra received 12.51 crore tourists, which included 11.59 crore domestic and 9.24 lakh international tourists. This change highlights the growing prominence of religious tourism in Uttar Pradesh.

According to UP Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh, “A total of 32,98,18,122 (32 crore 98 lakh 18,000 and 122) people visited different parts of the state as compared to 31.86 crore in the first six months of 2024. Tourists coming throughout the year in 2022.” This number includes 32,87,81,348 (32 crore, 87 lakh, 81 thousand and 348) domestic tourists and 10,36,774 international tourists.

Meanwhile, other top destinations in UP are Prayagraj, Mathura and Agra – which attract lakhs of travelers every year. Prayagraj received 4,53,94,772 domestic and 3,668 foreign tourists in the first six months of 2024. After this, 3,07,02,513 domestic and 49,619 foreign tourists came to Mathura also.

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