Dharmic pilgrimage spots saw greater rush on December 31 and January 1 even as tourist hotspots such as Goa found themselves devoid of crowds and completely lacking the English new year vibe. This begs the question if there is a shift in the manner in which people are celebrating the Western new year by giving it a Dharmic twist. Can this be considered as reconnecting with one’s roots or are we trying to predict the arrival of the rains with a single dance of the peacock?
Fall in footfalls in ‘regular hotspots’
Goa is considered a new year hotspot with many preferring to party in the state’s beaches in the period between Christmas and Western New Year. However, this year tourists, both foreign and domestic, appear to have ditched the popular year end holiday destination. A video shared by lawyer and men’s rights activist Deepika Narayan Bharadwaj showed empty roads, beaches, and markets. The video raised several eyebrows even as some tried to downplay and insisted that everything was fine.
Goa typically sees a surge in tourists, with beaches, hotels, and attractions packed with visitors from around the world. This period, known as the “peak season,” is usually a time of bustling activity. However, this year, videos and comments on social media reveal a noticeable decline in tourist numbers, raising concerns.
According to a CEIC Data report, Goa hosted only 1.5 million foreign tourists in 2023, a significant drop from the 8.5 million recorded in 2019. While some observers noted an increase in foreign tourists, many highlighted a dramatic overall decrease in December visitors, except for the last two days of the year. A resident confirmed the reduced crowd, remarking that Goa is less busy than expected for this time of year.
Critics attribute the decline to high costs and better alternatives elsewhere. Comments on social media pointed out that destinations like Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia offer superior value, with cheaper accommodations, organized sightseeing, and cleaner environments. One commenter remarked on Goa’s rising prices and “arrogance,” suggesting it might take time for the region to adapt and regain its competitive edge.
Another commenter highlighted Thailand’s appeal, citing affordable stays, beautiful beaches, excellent services, and minimal scams. They also praised the cleanliness of such destinations, contrasting it with Goa’s current state. Many echoed the sentiment that high prices and perceived greed are pushing tourists to seek better experiences elsewhere.
This is not to say that there weren’t the usual ruckus makers as Treeni shared a video showing drunk young men and women creating a scene.
While it would be wrong to draw conclusions based on limited information, what has caught our attention is rise in the footfalls at Dharmic destinations.
Spiritual ‘tourism’, bhakti, or Dharmic awakening?
The Dharmic center’s of Ayodhya and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh witnessed an unprecedented influx of devotees on Western New Year’s Day. The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, consecrated on January 22 last year, drew massive crowds, with over two lakh devotees already present on December 31 and an additional three lakh arriving on January 1 for the darshan of Ram Lalla’s murti unveiled at sunrise. The administration expanded visitor facilities and enforced strict security measures, dividing the city into multiple sectors and zones, deploying heavy police presence, and using drones for monitoring.
Similarly, Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Mandir saw an overwhelming 3.5 lakh devotees by 4 pm, with lines forming as early as 3 am. To manage the crowd, Mandir authorities restricted touch darshan, limited access to the sanctum sanctorum, and banned vehicles on certain roads. Security was heightened with police deployment, drone surveillance, and the establishment of multiple duty points in key areas.
In both cities, holiday breaks, seasonal factors, and a growing trend of pilgrimage over traditional tourism destinations contributed to the surge. Officials reported fully booked accommodations and a steady rise in visitors since late December. Special forces, including the NDRF and PAC, were on standby in Varanasi to ensure safety during the celebrations, reflecting meticulous planning to manage the influx and provide a peaceful experience for devotees.
Even Ram Mandir Trust’s General Secretary Shri Champat Rai opined that people are preferring Dharmic destinations. “Increasingly, Ayodhya has become a prime destination for pilgrims instead of more traditional tourist spots like Goa, Nainital, Shimla or Mussoorie,” Rai said.
Bharatiyas preferring Dharmic sthals (places) over regular tourist spots could be the beginning of a new trend where Bharatiya traditions take precedence over Western style celebrations even while celebrating Western festivals/events. Reducing this to spiritual ‘tourism’ would be a gross injustice but terming it a Dharmic awakening would be jumping the gun. However, there is no denying that a section of Hindus takes pride in its Dharmic rooting and finds ways to stay connected with it.
This might be the beginning of a trend where Bharatiyas are charting their own course rather than simply aping the West even while ‘celebrating’ Western festivals/events. It is appreciable that many Hindus prefer going to Mandirs rather than regular tourist hotspots. This is a good start and Hindu Samaj is taking baby steps towards returning to its roots.
(Featured Image Source: MSN)
