From Ghats to Temples: How Spiritual Tourism Revives India’s Cultural Heart

From Ghats to Temples: How Spiritual Tourism Revives India’s Cultural Heart

A recent feature in Hindustan Times explores the profound impact of spiritual tourism on India's art, music, and heritage. The article includes an insightful interview with Yudhistir Govinda Das, Director of Communications at ISKCON India, who explains how mindful pilgrimage goes beyond sightseeing.

According to the interview, spiritual tourism is a vital force for:

• Reviving Temple Arts: Increased pilgrim footfall supports the restoration of sacred architecture and provides sustainable work for traditional stone carvers, muralists, and artisans using shilpa shastra techniques.

• Sustaining Local Crafts: Holy towns support entire clusters of families making diyas, incense, and bead malas, preventing artisans from migrating to cities for factory jobs.

• Preserving Music & Dance: Temple courtyards and festivals serve as living stages for bhajans, kirtan, and regional folk arts, keeping vernacular traditions alive.

• Protecting Culinary Heritage: The demand for simple, sattvic prasadam sustains traditional recipes, millets, and wood-fire cooking methods.

Key Quote:

“When spiritual journeys are approached as mindful travel and not just sightseeing, they nurture cultural confidence. Each pilgrim who chooses local crafts, attends a kirtan, savours traditional thalis or supports community kitchens becomes part of a quiet movement to protect India's living heritage for the next generation.” — Yudhistir Govinda Das

Read the full article here: Hindustan Times: How spiritual tourism breathes life into India's art, music and culture