‘Footfall at Mirzapur's Maa Vindhyasini Temple may cross 1cr mark in 2025'
Data shows that over 64 lakh pilgrims have visited the temple in the first six months of 2025, speaking for a monthly average of over 10 lakh.
This is significantly higher than the average monthly footfall of 6.5 lakh recorded in 2024, with the total being 78 lakh.
"Though counting is still underway, numbers are expected to touch 10 lakh in July too. And if this trend continues, the footfall may cross 1 crore in 2025," said Jaiveer Singh, tourism minister.
Officials said with the temple at the core, other places in Mirzapur are also benefitting from the surge.
Take the example of the Ashta Bhuja Temple, which forms an important part of the Vindhyavasini Tribhuja pilgrimage.
More than 38 lakh pilgrims who visited Vindhyavasini also visited the Ashta Bhuja Temple. In 2024, the total number of pilgrims recorded at this site was 55 lakh.
Indications are that the neighbouring districts like Sonbhadra and Chandauli are also on the list of beneficiaries.
"In Sonbhadra, the footfall in Shiv Dwar, which was previously largely popular with kanwariyas, has seen an unprecedented hike in the number of visitors," said a senior officer, adding that the numbers would be disclosed after the Hindu month of Shrawan concludes.
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Sitamarhi in Bhadoi is yet another example.
Principal secretary, tourism and culture, Mukesh Meshram said: "Gone are the days when Mirzapur recorded seasonal tourism surge because the beauty of the rain-fed waterfalls peaked at that time. It is heartening to see people and pilgrims visiting the place all through the year."
Director Eco Tourism, Uttar Pradesh Prakhar Mishra, said the surge was a result of concerted efforts made over the past few years.
"While on one hand the good sites were flagged and projected, efforts are made to train key stakeholders to promote them in an organised way. The local community was also engaged, and local art and cuisine were integrated to ensure that tourism development was inclusive and employment-generating. As a result, the region is now full of options in village and farm tourism. Mirzapur and adjoining areas also offer options to adventure seekers," he said.
Mishra noted that with the inclusion of Salkhan Fossil Park in Unesco's tentative list of world heritage sites will further bolster the efforts and footfall.
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