Spiritual tourism shows signs of returning to pre-pandemic scenario

TIRUCHI:

Spiritual tourism is slowly but steadily returning to pre-pandemic levels in Tiruchi, bringing a sigh of relief to vendors and businesses who depend on sightseers and pilgrims.

Tiruchi and its neighbouring towns of the State boasts of a number of popular places of worship including Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Sri Jambukeswarar Temple in Thiruvanaikoil, Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple (Rockfort), Nathervali Dargah, and Our Lady of Lourdes Church near Mainguard Gate .

According to a rough estimate, the places of worship in Tiruchi and its neighbouring places attract about 50,000 pilgrims on weekends and holidays. Other days attract nearly 40% of them. A major chunk of the arrivals makes their way to Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple in Samayapuram.

The sector hit a major blockade in the first and second quarters of 2020-2021 as religious places were forced to shut down due to the spread of COVID-19. After a few months of restricted entry, they had to close down again in the first and second quarters of 2021-2022. Most temples conduct their annual festivals only in Panguni and Chithirai, months in Tamil calendar. But many could not conduct them due to strict restrictions by the Central and State governments.  

 It had a cascading impact on traders and businesses depending on tourism. Right from cab operators to hotels and restaurants and coconut and flower merchants to hawkers were hit hard.

Though religious places were permitted to allow visitors from August, most temples began to conduct their regular festivals from January. As most of the restrictions were lifted by the State government, it is said that the arrival is slowly returning to normal. Besides hotels and restaurants, all other allied businesses are said to have attained about 60% to 65% of the business.  

According to sources in the tourism industry, the number of domestic travellers has gone up over the last two months. The city registers about 25,000 to 30,000 pilgrims on weekdays and holidays. The number is said to return to normalcy once the examination season is over.