India’s temple tourism continued to surge in 2025 as spiritual seekers, culture enthusiasts, and international travelers flocked to the country’s sacred sites. With enhanced infrastructure, improved international connectivity, and global interest in Indian heritage and spirituality, several temples recorded remarkable foreign visitor numbers in 2025.
Below is a ranked list of the top 10 temples in India that attracted the highest number of foreign tourists in 2025, based on available tourism figures, industry estimates, and official reports.
| Rank | Temple / Temple Destination | Location | Estimated Foreign Tourist Arrivals (2025) | Key Attraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kashi Vishwanath Temple | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | 5,00,000+ | One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Ganga Aarti, spiritual capital of India |
| 2 | Tirupati Balaji (Tirumala Venkateswara Temple) | Andhra Pradesh | 3,00,000+ | World’s richest Hindu temple, Lord Venkateswara shrine |
| 3 | Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) | Amritsar, Punjab | 2,50,000+ | Holiest Sikh shrine, Langar service, golden architecture |
| 4 | Kushinagar Buddhist Temple Complex | Uttar Pradesh | 2,14,000+ | Mahaparinirvana site of Lord Buddha, global Buddhist pilgrimage |
| 5 | Vaishno Devi Temple | Jammu & Kashmir | 2,00,000+ | Himalayan cave shrine, sacred trek pilgrimage |
| 6 | Mahabodhi Temple | Bodh Gaya, Bihar | 1,50,000+ | UNESCO World Heritage Site, Buddha’s enlightenment place |
| 7 | Jagannath Temple | Puri, Odisha | 1,20,000+ | Rath Yatra festival, ancient Vaishnava tradition |
| 8 | Ram Mandir | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh | 1,00,000+ | Newly inaugurated grand temple, global Hindu significance |
| 9 | Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple | Tamil Nadu | 40,000+ | Largest functioning Hindu temple complex, Dravidian architecture |
| 10 | Rockfort – Thayumanavaswamy Temple | Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu | 16,000+ | Historic hilltop shrine, panoramic city views |
1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi — ~500,000+ Foreign Visitors
The ancient Kashi Vishwanath Temple, part of the revitalised Varanasi spiritual circuit, drew one of the largest crowds of international tourists among temples in India in 2025. Varanasi itself welcomed a record 72.6 million total visitorswith significant global participation, reflecting the city’s rising prominence as a spiritual hub.
2. Tirupati Balaji Temple, Andhra Pradesh — ~300,000+ Foreign Visitors
The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati remained a major international pilgrimage destination in 2025, attracting tens of thousands of foreign devotees drawn by its religious importance and Dravidian architecture. (General tourism trend basis)
3. Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), Amritsar — ~250,000+ Foreign Visitors
The Golden Temple in Punjab consistently draws global visitors for its serene beauty, cultural significance, and communal langar experience — ranking high among foreigners exploring India’s spiritual destinations.
4. Kushinagar Buddhist Sites (Including Mahaparinirvana), Uttar Pradesh — ~214,684 Foreign Visitors
A cluster of Buddhist sites (Mahaparinirvana Temple, Ramabhar Stupa, monasteries)
5. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu & Kashmir — ~200,000+ Foreign Visitors
Situated in the Trikuta Mountains, the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage attracts a steady flow of both Indian and overseas devotees throughout the year.
6. Bodh Gaya Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar — ~150,000+ Foreign Visitors
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the place of Buddha’s enlightenment, Bodh Gaya remains a magnet for Buddhist pilgrims from across Asia and beyond. (Tourism patterns from travel guides)
7. Jagannath Temple, Puri — ~120,000+ Foreign Visitors
Puri’s ancient Jagannath Temple continues to be an international pilgrimage focus, especially during Rath Yatra when thousands of foreign tourists visit Odisha.
8. Ram Mandir, Ayodhya — ~100,000+ Foreign Visitors
The newly inaugurated Ram Mandir has quickly become a global spiritual attraction, with projections estimating millions of annual visitors from around the world.
9. Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu — ~40,000+ Foreign Visitors
Tourism data from the Trichy region showed foreign interest in temples like Srirangam Ranganathaswamy, although at lower levels than top hubs like Varanasi or Tirupati.
10. Thayumanavaswamy Temple (Rockfort), Tamil Nadu — ~16,000+ Foreign Visitors
Part of the tourist trail around Trichy’s historic sites, the Rockfort temple saw growing interest from international visitors in 2025.
Why Foreign Tourists Visit Indian Temples
- Spiritual and Religious Experiences — Temples like Tirupati and Kashi Vishwanath offer deep spiritual meaning.
- Heritage & Architecture — Ancient structures like Bodh Gaya and Jagannath Temple appeal to cultural travelers.
- Festivals and Events — Rath Yatra, temple festivals, and pilgrimages drive seasonal spikes.
- UNESCO World Heritage Recognition — Sites like Bodh Gaya attract educational and cultural tourism.
India’s temple tourism landscape in 2025 showcased exceptional international interest, particularly in cultural and spiritual experiences unparalleled elsewhere in the world. With expansions in pilgrim infrastructure and global travel connections, these temples stand at the forefront of India’s inbound tourism growth story.