Latest news with #EkadashaTeertha
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business Standard
Beyond beaches: Goa to promote temple visits under spiritual tourism drive
The Goa government is planning to provide a spiritual experience to visitors, away from the beaches, by promoting a pilgrimage circuit comprising 11 iconic temples in the state, officials said on Tuesday. These temples will be the highlight of the Goa Tourism's 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' campaign, they said. A meeting was held on Monday with representatives of all the 11 temples to discuss promotion of the pilgrimage circuit and resolve any coordination-related issues, Goa Tourism Director Kedar Naik told PTI. The 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' will cover the 11 temples representing Goa's rich spiritual legacy. These include Sri Manguesh Temple in Mangeshi (North Goa), Sri Mahalasa Narayani Temple in Mardol (North Goa), Mahadev Temple in Tambdi Surla (South Goa) and Sri Shantadurga Temple in Fatorpa (South Goa). As part of the pilgrimage circuit, tourists will be taken around four temples in a day, covering the entire journey in two-three days, Naik said. The visitors will also be taken to other tourist attractions nearby, providing them a holistic travel experience, he said. Naik said the committee members of the temples have welcomed the initiative and expressed support for its successful implementation. "They also provided valuable inputs to ensure that the spiritual sanctity of each temple is maintained while hosting tourists," he said. Naik said that 'Ekadasha Teertha' is not just a tourism product, it is a "journey of spiritual immersion, local engagement and cultural preservation". "We are grateful to the temple committees for their wholehearted support and valuable inputs, which will help us co-create a meaningful and respectful experience for all visitors," he added. The committees emphasised the importance of formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the visitors. They also recommended that tourist itineraries be planned carefully during temple festivals and utsavs, he said. Parking and traffic management emerged as another key concern, particularly when buses and large vehicles carrying tourists arrive at temple sites. The temple committees urged the tourism department to consider site-specific solutions to ensure smooth visitor movement and avoid congestion, Naik said. The Department of Tourism assured continued collaboration with all stakeholders to refine the yatra plan and uphold the core values of Goa's cultural and spiritual heritage, he said.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Goa to start new temple tour to draw tourists, promote spirituality
The Goa government is planning to provide a spiritual experience to visitors, away from the beaches, by promoting a pilgrimage circuit comprising 11 iconic temples in the state, officials said on Tuesday. These temples will be the highlight of the Goa Tourism's 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' campaign, they said. A meeting was held on Monday with representatives of all the 11 temples to discuss promotion of the pilgrimage circuit and resolve any coordination-related issues, Goa Tourism Director Kedar Naik told PTI. The 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' will cover the 11 temples representing Goa's rich spiritual legacy. These include Sri Manguesh Temple in Mangeshi (North Goa), Sri Mahalasa Narayani Temple in Mardol (North Goa), Mahadev Temple in Tambdi Surla (South Goa) and Sri Shantadurga Temple in Fatorpa (South Goa). As part of the pilgrimage circuit, tourists will be taken around four temples in a day, covering the entire journey in two-three days, Naik said. The visitors will also be taken to other tourist attractions nearby, providing them a holistic travel experience, he said. Also read: Use Goa's elaborate road infrastructure to attract more tourists: Nitin Gadkari Naik said the committee members of the temples have welcomed the initiative and expressed support for its successful implementation. "They also provided valuable inputs to ensure that the spiritual sanctity of each temple is maintained while hosting tourists," he said. Naik said that 'Ekadasha Teertha' is not just a tourism product, it is a "journey of spiritual immersion, local engagement and cultural preservation". "We are grateful to the temple committees for their wholehearted support and valuable inputs, which will help us co-create a meaningful and respectful experience for all visitors," he added. The committees emphasised the importance of formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the visitors. They also recommended that tourist itineraries be planned carefully during temple festivals and utsavs, he said. Parking and traffic management emerged as another key concern, particularly when buses and large vehicles carrying tourists arrive at temple sites. The temple committees urged the tourism department to consider site-specific solutions to ensure smooth visitor movement and avoid congestion, Naik said. The Department of Tourism assured continued collaboration with all stakeholders to refine the yatra plan and uphold the core values of Goa's cultural and spiritual heritage, he said.
The Print
6 days ago
- The Print
Beyond beaches: Goa to promote temple visits under spiritual tourism drive
A meeting was held on Monday with representatives of all the 11 temples to discuss promotion of the pilgrimage circuit and resolve any coordination-related issues, Goa Tourism Director Kedar Naik told PTI. These temples will be the highlight of the Goa Tourism's 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' campaign, they said. Panaji, Jun 17 (PTI) The Goa government is planning to provide a spiritual experience to visitors, away from the beaches, by promoting a pilgrimage circuit comprising 11 iconic temples in the state, officials said on Tuesday. The 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' will cover the 11 temples representing Goa's rich spiritual legacy. These include Sri Manguesh Temple in Mangeshi (North Goa), Sri Mahalasa Narayani Temple in Mardol (North Goa), Mahadev Temple in Tambdi Surla (South Goa) and Sri Shantadurga Temple in Fatorpa (South Goa). As part of the pilgrimage circuit, tourists will be taken around four temples in a day, covering the entire journey in two-three days, Naik said. The visitors will also be taken to other tourist attractions nearby, providing them a holistic travel experience, he said. Naik said the committee members of the temples have welcomed the initiative and expressed support for its successful implementation. 'They also provided valuable inputs to ensure that the spiritual sanctity of each temple is maintained while hosting tourists,' he said. Naik said that 'Ekadasha Teertha' is not just a tourism product, it is a 'journey of spiritual immersion, local engagement and cultural preservation'. 'We are grateful to the temple committees for their wholehearted support and valuable inputs, which will help us co-create a meaningful and respectful experience for all visitors,' he added. The committees emphasised the importance of formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the visitors. They also recommended that tourist itineraries be planned carefully during temple festivals and utsavs, he said. Parking and traffic management emerged as another key concern, particularly when buses and large vehicles carrying tourists arrive at temple sites. The temple committees urged the tourism department to consider site-specific solutions to ensure smooth visitor movement and avoid congestion, Naik said. The Department of Tourism assured continued collaboration with all stakeholders to refine the yatra plan and uphold the core values of Goa's cultural and spiritual heritage, he said. PTI RPS GK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
News18
04-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Is Experiential Travel the Future of Tourism? Industry Experts Say It's Already Here
This evolution is not limited to niche experiences; it's being embraced on an institutional level too. According to Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, 'Experiential travel isn't just the next big trend—it's the future of meaningful tourism." Goa Tourism has been actively pivoting toward immersive and regenerative experiences through curated hinterland trails, spiritual circuits like the Ekadasha Teertha, heritage walks, and community-led homestays. 'We want every traveller to leave with a sense of place, a local connection, and a commitment to preserve the beauty they experience," says Naik. From the government to the grassroots, the shift is palpable. Alok K Singh, Chairman and CEO of Travomint, notes that travellers today are choosing engagement over escapism. 'The desire isn't just to visit a place, but to truly engross in it. There's a heightening appreciation for local culture, human connection, and immersive storytelling." Whether it's learning crafts or sharing meals with local families, Singh emphasizes that authenticity is becoming the cornerstone of modern travel. This insight is echoed by Mithun Jha, Director at Reservations Deal, who notes a surge in demand for 'immersive and alluring activities along with personalized experiences." According to Jha, data shows that travellers are increasingly choosing cooking classes, village tours, and offbeat explorations over lavish hotel stays. 'People are actively choosing partaking over profligacy. Experiential travel offers higher emotional ROI, making it an increasingly opted model in the evolving travel era," he says. At the heart of this transformation are young travellers, especially Gen Z, who are driving the demand for experiential offerings. Pallavi Agarwal, Founder and CEO of goSTOPS, sees this as more than a trend—it's a movement. 'Gen Z craves experiences. They want to create long-lasting memories and find meaning in travel. We've noticed travellers curating their itineraries based on conversations with fellow guests, not internet-curated lists." Even the way people plan travel is changing. Gaurav Malik, Country Director for India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal at Agoda, notes a sharp rise in travel linked to cultural events and festivals. 'Experiential travel is transforming how Indians explore. More travellers are seeking immersive connections through music festivals, concerts, and cultural events." He cites Coldplay's upcoming concert in Mumbai as a prime example, which led to a 33-fold spike in accommodation searches on Agoda. 'Such events not only boost tourism but enhance India's cultural appeal," he adds. Advertisement As travel becomes more individualistic, the appeal lies in moments that are unscripted and soulful. Rahul Dhawan, Sales Director at Dial for Holidays LLP, observes that people aren't looking to escape anymore—they're looking to connect. 'Whether it's learning from a local artisan, joining a small ritual, or living the slow life in a rural community, it's about the deep involvement and not just about the distance travelled," he says. Dhawan believes experiential travel offers something grounding and emotionally nourishing in an increasingly digitized world.
