Young swap noise and partying for peace & spirituality

Pune: Goa or Kedarnath? For 27-year-old Katraj resident Sudhandhu Mehta, the Himalayan shrine is first choice and an Oct trip there is non-negotiable. It will be his second visit in as many years.

While his friends are planning a beach getaway around the same time, Mehta has different priorities.“Kedarnath gives me a sense of peace and happiness. I visited last year and decided I want to go every year. I’ve been to Goa several times and now it feels too chaotic. Not that I won’t go there, but I’m already looking at Vrindavan and Ayodhya for a Dec trip,” he said.Mehta among the Gen Z and young professionals increasingly choosing spiritual destinations over conventional party hotspots.

After embracing trends such as sober socialising and wellness-focused lifestyles, young Indians are turning to religious and spiritual tourism in search of meaning, mindfulness, and a break from high-pressure urban lives.Mehta said his trip gave him what he needed after hard days at work, dealing with traffic and noise. “I am not religious but the visit gave my mind a sense of pause and that of peace. I could have gone to Bangkok or Europe.

But those places are chaotic and noisy. I took my father’s advice and chose Kedarnath. It was worth it,” he said.A recent study by redBus found that young travellers account for 53% of India’s spiritual travel segment. Popular routes witnessing strong demand include Bengaluru–Tirupati, Rishikesh–Delhi, Pune–Nanded, Indore–Ujjain and Chennai-Thanjavur. Industry reports from 2024 also indicate that spiritual tourism contributes nearly 60% of India’s domestic tourism market.Travel industry stakeholders say the shift is becoming increasingly visible. “We see younger travellers gravitating towards holidays that offer purpose, cultural immersion and personal enrichment alongside leisure,” Rajeev Kale, president and country head (Holidays, MICE and Visa) at Thomas Cook (India).Kale said destinations such as Varanasi, Bodh Gaya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Rishikesh-Haridwar circuit and heritage destinations like Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal are drawing young travellers seeking deeper connections with India’s cultural and spiritual roots.“Many are combining temple visits with experiences such as Ganga aarti ceremonies, yoga retreats, heritage walks and local culinary exploration. The Kumbh Mela also helped bring spiritual travel into the mainstream. Social media with visually engaging content around spiritual experiences inspires younger travellers,” he added.SD Nandakumar, president and country head (holidays and corporate tours) at SOTC Travel, said younger tourists are increasingly looking to slow down.

“They want journeys that are meaningful and culturally enriching. These holidays allow them to engage more deeply with local traditions and communities while exploring India’s spiritual heritage,” he said.Magarpatta resident Anmol Vaidya, 31, said the appeal lies in escaping workplace stress. “There is so much pressure at work. I realised that visiting spiritual destinations is a major stress reliever. I’ve done short trips to Shirdi and am planning visits to Rishikesh and Haridwar. Holidays now mean peace, not partying,” he said.Travel operators say booking trends reflect this change. Santosh Gupta, owner of Pune-based Shree Vinayak Holidays, said enquiries from the 26-40 age group have surged for destinations such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Ujjain, Shirdi and Tirupati. “Internationally, Buddhist circuits in Nepal and Sri Lanka are also gaining popularity,” he told TOI.Nilesh Bansali, president of Travel Agents Association of Pune, said the appeal often extends beyond spirituality.

“Many destinations also offer adventure. It’s this combination of spiritual fulfilment and adventure that is attracting young travellers. Kedarnath sees strong bookings from young couples and solo travellers,” he said.Mehta said he spent around Rs 2.5 lakh on the Kedarnath trip and his experience was divine. “I chose a five-day, VIP trip which included a chopper trip near the shrine. It is a different feeling that cannot be explained. I felt so much at peace and close to nature. This time, I won’t go for the chopper ride and it will cost me around Rs 65,000, which includes a 17-18km trek through the terrain. I am looking forward to the experience,” he told TOI.