Prayagraj, one of India’s most sacred cities, is all set to be promoted as the “City of Temple Corridors”, a move that aims to position it as a year-round centre of spiritual tourism and cultural heritage. The move to promote Prayagraj as the ‘City of Temple Corridors’ comes in the wake of Maha Kumbh 2025 and is aimed at sustaining the spiritual and cultural momentum in the run-up to the Ardh Kumbh in 2031.
From Sacred Sites to Spiritual Journeys: Prayagraj’s ₹129 Crore Temple Corridor Project Takes Shape
At the heart of the project is the development of temple corridors worth more than ₹129 crore. These corridors will link and beautify some of Prayagraj’s most significant religious sites, including the Dwadash Madhav temples, the iconic Bade Hanuman Temple near the Sangam, the sacred Akshayvat tree, the historic Saraswati Koop (well), and the Bhardwaj Ashram. The plan is not only to renovate and restore these sites but also to create seamless walkways and pathways that connect them, making it easier for pilgrims to navigate and experience them as part of a larger spiritual journey. These temple complexes will also become venues for cultural programming such as Ganga Aarti, devotional music, and performances that will enrich the overall visitor experience.
To ensure systematic growth, the government has introduced a Tourism Tracker, a first-of-its-kind system in Prayagraj that records and monitors monthly data on tourist inflow—both domestic and international—along with hotel occupancy, transportation facilities, special events, and the progress of tourism-related projects. This will allow planners to identify gaps, address challenges, and ensure that resources are allocated effectively.
The initiative emphasizes infrastructure development under the triple-P model, with land banks planned outside the city for parking, resthouses, cafeterias, and toilets—vital for handling crowds during Ardh Kumbh 2031. The government is also easing hotel NOC norms, promoting homestays, and formalizing dharamshala registrations to boost accommodation options.
Alongside infrastructure, the city is working on enhancing the visitor experience. Multilingual signage will be installed for the convenience of international tourists, while strict regulation of vendors and encroachments will ensure that temple corridors remain accessible, clean, and respectful. Special efforts are being made to showcase Prayagraj’s spiritual identity beyond the Kumbh Mela, so that visitors are drawn throughout the year rather than only during mega religious events.
Key Highlights:
- Development of dedicated temple corridors and facilities for pilgrims
- Creation of land banks for infrastructure outside the city center
- Simplified hotel NOC approvals and promotion of homestays
- Long-term vision: Year-round tourism beyond Kumbh Mela
To further boost its profile, Prayagraj will also host a mega tourism conclave, inviting domestic and international tour operators, hoteliers, and travel agencies to collaborate in promoting the city globally. This conclave will act as a platform for showcasing Prayagraj’s growing tourism potential and positioning it as an integral part of Uttar Pradesh’s larger religious tourism circuit, which already includes Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura-Vrindavan, and Gorakhpur.
With this comprehensive plan, Prayagraj is being reimagined not merely as a host to occasional grand festivals but as a living spiritual hub where faith, history, and culture converge. The “City of Temple Corridors” initiative seeks to make every visit to Prayagraj a journey of devotion, discovery, and cultural immersion—transforming the city into one of India’s most important year-round destinations for pilgrims and travelers alike.
