The world's largest gathering of humans, the Maha Kumbh Mela, has begun on Monday, and India's economy is abuzz with excitement. As 1.5 crore devotees congregated in Prayagraj, UP for a dip in the sacred waters, the country's consumer businesses are salivating at the prospect of a massive inflow of revenues. The numbers are mind-boggling. The 45-day Maha Kumbh is expected to see over 40 crore pilgrims leading to an estimated Rs 2 lakh crore spending. This is a testament to the power of spiritual events driving India's economy. The numbers are too big to ignore.
Cut into Goa, a state that boasts a rich cultural heritage but has failed to tap into this vast segment despite its potential. We speak of spiritual circuits, plan to showcase spirituality at international shows and expos and create an idea of calling Goa Dakshin Kashi. In 2025, we are still doing number crunching, trying desperately to differentiate between good and bad tourism while warding off negative publicity on the numbers.
Amidst all the pomp and show, and the varying narratives, Goa, which has been touting spiritual tourism for years has not moved in that direction. As we witness another series of significant religious events unfold in the State, it's time to ask: are we merely paying lip service to spiritual tourism? In the past two months alone, three significant religious events have taken place in Goa - the Exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier, the Fatorpa Zatra at Shri Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Temple, and the ongoing famous Bodgeshwar Zatra at Mapusa. Lakhs of devotees have congregated at these events, and an air of spirituality has pervaded the State. However, from the tourism perspective, nothing much has been spoken about.
The potential of Goa as a spiritual destination is not a subject of debate, but rather, whether we have the vision and the will to harness it. By leveraging key religious and cultural events, Goa can not only attract a significant influx of tourists but also earn the goodwill of pilgrims.
To tap the potential of spiritual tourism, Goa needs to take a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, we need to develop logistics and infrastructure to cater to a surge in spiritual tourist numbers. This includes creating dedicated facilities for pilgrims, upgrading seamless transportation links, and enhancing accommodation options. Secondly, we need to promote Goa's spiritual heritage, both within the country and internationally, by showcasing its unique festivals and traditions. The government has done a fabulous job with the infrastructure for the Exposition but failed to showcase the event globally.
The government also needs to engage with the local community and involve them in the planning and execution of spiritual events. This will not only ensure that the events are managed sustainably but also create a sense of ownership among the people. By doing so, we can create a win-win situation for both the tourists and the locals, generating revenue and promoting cultural exchange.
Goa has lessons to learn from the Maha Kumbh. By taking a proactive approach and harnessing the available resources, we can to a large extent move away from the 'party tag' and create a distinct identity by putting Goa firmly on the map as a major spiritual tourism destination. The question is whether the tourism department is ready to walk its talk.
