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Dark Tourism vs Spiritual Tourism

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Aayush Tiwari –

A critical analysis : Tourism at cellular jail Andaman Nicobar vs Ram Mandir Ayodhya.

The construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has been a long-standing contentious issue in India. With the recent Supreme Court verdict in favor of building the temple, there has been a surge of interest and excitement among the devotees and religious tourists. Advocate Aayush Tiwari believes that this development will not only boost tourism in Ayodhya but also have a ripple effect on other tourist destinations in India, particularly the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In this critical analysis, we will examine the rationale behind this claim and analyze the potential impact of Ram Mandir on the tourism industry in India.

Advocate Tiwari argues that the Cellular Jail, also known as ‘Kala Pani,’ will see a significant increase in tourism due to the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. This assertion is based on the comparison of the two destinations’ historical significance and religious importance. The Cellular Jail, a colonial-era prison, holds immense historical significance as it was used to incarcerate Indian freedom fighters during the British rule. Similarly, Ayodhya holds a special place in the Indian psyche as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism.

Tourism at Saint Helena and Auschwitz Concentration Camp were taken to support the claim of Advocate Aayush Tiwari at www.newsspace.in bureau office in Kanpur.

To justify his claim, Advocate Tiwari draws a parallel between the potential impact of Ram Mandir and the tourism at Saint Helena and Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland. According to a report by the Saint Helena Tourism Association, the number of visitors to the island increased by 20% in the year 2016, after the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte were returned to the island. Similarly, the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, a site of unimaginable suffering and death, has become a popular tourist attraction in Poland. The camp received over 2.3 million visitors in 2019, making it one of the most visited historical sites in the world.

Religious tourism has been a significant contributor to the economy of many countries. According to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council, religious and spiritual tourism accounted for 11% of global travel and tourism GDP in 2019. The report also states that religious and spiritual tourism is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.4% between 2019 and 2029. This growth is attributed to the increasing number of people traveling to religious destinations for spiritual fulfillment and cultural experiences.

The Potential Impact of Ram Mandir on Tourism in India:


With the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, India is expected to witness a surge in religious tourism. The temple, once completed, is likely to attract millions of devotees from all over the world, similar to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh. This will not only benefit Ayodhya but also have a positive impact on other tourist destinations in India. The Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, being a significant historical site, is likely to see a significant increase in visitors, as more tourists will be attracted to India due to the construction of Ram Mandir.

The construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is undoubtedly a significant development in the religious and cultural landscape of India. While it is hard to predict the exact impact, it is evident that the temple’s construction will have a ripple effect on the tourism industry in India. As seen in the case of Saint Helena and Auschwitz Concentration Camp, historical and religious sites have the potential to attract a large number of tourists and boost the economy. However, it is crucial to ensure that the development of religious tourism does not overshadow the preservation of these sites’ historical and cultural significance.

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