CM Yogi announces five newly developed spiritual corridors after Maha Kumbh success
By Tajdar H. Zaidi
Lucknow: Maha Kumbh 2025 has ushered in new opportunities for the growth of spiritual tourism in Uttar Pradesh. This grand religious event, which attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists from across the country and the world, has paved the way for enhanced connectivity to various sacred destinations in the state. In line with this vision, the Uttar Pradesh government has developed five significant spiritual corridors that will enable devotees to embark on religious journeys with greater ease and convenience.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during his recent visit to Prayagraj, emphasized the importance of these newly developed spiritual corridors. He also took the opportunity to extend his gratitude to police personnel, sanitation workers, health workers, boatmen, media representatives, and transport operators, all of whom played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of the Maha Kumbh event.
Enhanced Connectivity for Devotees
These spiritual corridors have been designed to facilitate seamless travel for devotees, allowing them to visit multiple religious sites within a single pilgrimage. The initiative is expected to provide a significant boost to spiritual tourism in Uttar Pradesh, attracting not only devotees from India but also religious travelers from around the world. The corridors interconnect some of the most revered pilgrimage sites associated with Hindu mythology and tradition.
Five Major Spiritual Corridors
1. Prayag-Vindhyachal-Kashi Corridor
The Prayag-Vindhyachal-Kashi Corridor connects the holy city of Prayagraj with Vindhyachal Devi Dham and Varanasi. This corridor is of immense religious significance as it represents a journey through the sacred sites dedicated to the worship of Goddess Shakti (Parvati) and Lord Shiva.
Pilgrims can begin their journey in Prayagraj, where they can take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. They can then proceed to visit Vindhyachal Devi Dham, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, where Goddess Vindhyavasini is worshipped. The final destination on this route is Kashi (Varanasi), one of the oldest and holiest cities in the world, revered as the abode of Lord Shiva.
2. Prayagraj-Ayodhya-Gorakhpur Corridor
This corridor is associated with Lord Rama and the Gorakhnath tradition. Devotees can begin their pilgrimage in Prayagraj, where they can visit key religious sites such as Hanuman Mandir, Akshay Vat, and Saraswati Koop. After offering prayers in Prayagraj, they can travel to Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, and pay homage to Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
From Ayodhya, the journey continues to Gorakhpur, where devotees can seek blessings at the renowned Gorakhnath Temple, dedicated to Guru Gorakhnath, the great saint of the Nath tradition. This corridor provides a spiritual journey through significant locations associated with the Ramayana and the Nath sect, offering pilgrims a profound religious experience.
3. Prayagraj-Lucknow-Naimisharanya Corridor
This corridor takes devotees from Prayagraj to Naimisharanya Dham via Lucknow. Naimisharanya Dham holds great religious importance as one of the 88 Mahatirthas (great pilgrimage sites) in Hinduism. It is believed to be the site where 88,000 sages performed penance and where several significant events in Hindu mythology took place.
Naimisharanya is associated with Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Sati, and Lord Shiva. It is also believed to be the place where Maharishi Ved Vyasa composed the Puranas and where the great discourse of the Mahabharata took place. Pilgrims traveling through this corridor can experience the deep spiritual significance of Naimisharanya and its connection to Hindu scriptures and traditions.
4. Prayagraj-Rajapur (Banda)-Chitrakoot Corridor
The Prayagraj-Rajapur-Chitrakoot Corridor is closely linked to the exile period of Lord Rama. Chitrakoot Dham is a revered site where Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshmana spent a significant portion of their exile. This holy town is home to famous pilgrimage sites such as Kamadgiri Mountain, Ramghat, and Hanuman Dhara, all of which are associated with the Ramayana.
Rajapur, which falls along this corridor, is the birthplace of Goswami Tulsidas, the great saint-poet who composed the Shri Ramcharitmanas, Vinay Patrika, and several other revered Hindu texts. This corridor not only allows devotees to retrace the footsteps of Lord Rama but also pays tribute to Tulsidas, who played a crucial role in popularizing the Ramayana through his writings.
5. Prayagraj-Mathura-Vrindavan-Shuktirtha Corridor (via Bundelkhand Expressway)
This corridor connects Prayagraj with Mathura, Vrindavan, and Shuktirtha via the Bundelkhand Expressway. It provides devotees with an opportunity to visit the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura and experience the spiritual ambiance of Vrindavan, where Krishna spent his childhood engaging in divine pastimes.
Mathura and Vrindavan are among the most sacred places for devotees of Lord Krishna. In Vrindavan, pilgrims can visit renowned temples such as Banke Bihari Temple, ISKCON Temple, and Prem Mandir. The journey then continues to Shuktirtha, a significant religious site associated with Maharishi Shukracharya, the guru of the demons, who performed intense penance at this location.
This corridor provides Krishna devotees with a spiritually enriching experience by linking key locations that hold immense importance in Krishna’s life and teachings.
Impact on Spiritual Tourism
The development of these five spiritual corridors is a major step towards strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s position as a hub of religious tourism. By improving connectivity and providing well-planned routes for pilgrims, the state government aims to enhance the overall experience for devotees visiting these sacred destinations.
These corridors will not only facilitate easier access to pilgrimage sites but also contribute to local economies by boosting tourism-related businesses such as hospitality, transport, and local handicrafts. The initiative is expected to attract a significant influx of pilgrims from across India and the world, thereby promoting Uttar Pradesh as a premier destination for spiritual and cultural tourism.
With the Maha Kumbh 2025 acting as a catalyst, these corridors will leave a lasting impact on religious tourism, ensuring that devotees can embark on their spiritual journeys with greater comfort, ease, and devotion. The Uttar Pradesh government’s initiative to integrate these major pilgrimage routes is set to redefine the landscape of spiritual travel in the state.
