Lucknow: Seeking to further boost religious tourism, UP State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC) launched five weekly pilgrimage tours from Lucknow and Prayagraj under the state’s ‘Visit My State Uttar Pradesh’ campaign.The tours will connect pilgrims to key religious destinations including Ayodhya, Naimisharanya, Chitrakoot and Vindhyachal Dham, which form part of the state’s Ramayana and Shakti Peeth tourism circuits.According to officials, the weekly schedule includes Lucknow-Naimisharanya Dham tour every Friday and Lucknow-Ayodhya Sugam Darshan tour every Saturday and Sunday. From Prayagraj, the corporation will operate tours to Vindhyachal every Friday, Chitrakoot every Saturday and Ayodhya every Sunday.Tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh said the initiative aims to make organised pilgrimage travel more accessible while encouraging visitors to explore Uttar Pradesh’s major spiritual destinations.“The growing popularity of religious tourism reflects increasing interest in UP’s sacred sites. These tours will strengthen efforts to promote destinations associated with the Ramayana Circuit, Shakti Peeth Circuit and the state’s rich spiritual heritage,” Singh said.The one-day Naimisharanya tour from Lucknow has been priced at Rs 1,700 per person, while the Ayodhya Sugam Darshan package, which includes VIP darshan at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, will cost Rs 2,000. Senior citizens will be offered concessional rates on both tours.From Prayagraj, the Vindhyachal package is priced at Rs 600 per person, while the Chitrakoot and Ayodhya tours will cost Rs 1,000 each.Officials said the packages include meals, refreshments, local guides and souvenir gifts. Group booking discounts will also be available.Additional chief secretary, tourism, culture and religious affairs, Amrit Abhijat, said the tours would operate even if only a single passenger registers, ensuring wider accessibility for pilgrims.
