Contribution of Temple Economy (Religious Economy) in Indian Economy: Special Preference in Ram Mandir
Monoswini Sarmah

India is a culturally rich country.Developing country India is also a secular country. Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jain, Buddhism and other religions prevail in India.
These religions have contributed to the economic development of India. Temple Economy plays a important role in India’s GDP. Culturally development India has more opportunities in Temple Economy to growth of the country.
According to Sandeep Singh, the writer of the book ‘Temple Economics‘ is that The economic activities which is generated and centered arround temple is called Temple Economy.There are a total of 3.01 million places of worship in India. According to Census 2011, there is 96.63 crore of 121.09 crore total population is Hinduism and 5 Lakh is temples.

In a recent survey conducted nationwide, it was revealed that 1 out of 4 Indians wants to go on a tour of an Indian religious place. It highlighting the significance of spritual tourism in the country. Popular destination includes Amritsar, Rishikesh and Tirupati. The growth of ‘Places of Worship’ increases 26% between 2001 and 2011. There is 4,47,000 crores donated in temples per year. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of religious places.
According to the NSSO report (2017) Indian travel 4 times more for religious reasons than on Business. The size of religious tourism in India is bigger than its defence budget. India’s travel economy linked to places of religion is worth ₹3.02 lakh crore, which is nearly 2.32% of India’s GDP. As part of the government’s plans to attract FDI worth more than $100 billion, the article highlights the prospects of creating 100 million jobs in the tourism industry.
Religious tourism industry in India is largely unorganised. Therefore, Indian Central Government start to take some inciatives to make boom in this sector. There is no Recession phase has been seen in this sector. Because Religious festivals are celebrated every month in India. Therefore worshiping is going on. Flower,Oil, Diya, Agarbatti, Fruit, Rice, Milk,Sandalwood, Sendur, Clothes, Images, bangles etc are needed everyday for Worshiping.
After 2014 this sector start to increase. Because after 2014 many new religious places are established and some ancient religious places are modified. Example Ram Mandir. Before established Ram Mandir 5450 crore donation has come till 2021. According to Pew Research Centre, Religious tourism registered a positive growth in 2021.
The Ministry of Tourism launched ‘Swadesh Darshan’ in 2014-15 and provided financial assistance to the state Governments/ UTs Administration/ Central Agencies for Development of tourism infrastructure at various destinations like service sector, Hospitals sector,Hotels, Food sector, Transport sector etc. During the period 2014-15 to 2018-19, a total number of 76 projects were sanctioned.

This scheme plays a important role. So that in 2021 ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’ was launched. Another scheme ‘PRASAD’ was launched in 2014-15 with the objective of holistic development identified pilgrimage destinations. Local markets which are near religious places generated 65,070 crores in 2021 and it increase in 2022 which is 1.3 lakh crores.
Religious tourism industry provides employment to 6% of the total work force in the country. According to the estimation of Ministry of Tourism, The Central government revenue for 2022-23 is Rs. 19,34,706 crore and only six temples (Tirumala Tirupati Temple, Vaishnodevi Temple,Ambaji Temple, Dwarkadhish Temple, Somnath Temple and Amitchar Golden temple) collected Rs. 24000 crore in cash.

Some Temple received gold more than Cash. Where our Indian govt. has gold reserves of just 500 tons, but our Indian temples has gold reserves of more than 22k tons. Tirupati Temple and Shirdi recieved 130 Kg and 380 kg gold in 2022 Fiscal year. Religious tourism based fairs are also organized in various places (Rever etc)in the country, which also boost the rural economy.
According to Ministry of Tourism data, religious tourism witnessed 1439 million tourists in 2022 and the places of religious tourism earned 1.34 lakh crore in the same year. The sector is expected to generate a revenue of 59 billion by 2028, creating 140 million temporary and permanent jobs by 2030.
The inauguration Ram mandir is poised to be a game-changer. It is expected to add nearly 25,000 jobs across chef, front desk manager, housekeeping and tour guide profiles,Alug added. According to SBI research Ram Mandir and other tourism initiatives to add around Rs. 25,000 crore to Uttar Pradesh tax collections in 2025 financial year. Ayodhya Ram mandir hikes property prices 900%.

Tourism expected to make up Richer by Rs. 4 Lakh crore this year. SBI research said Ram mandir will give India’s Economy a Boost. Many MNC are going to be established in Ayodhya there will result in 8 to 10 times higher income compared to now. Local people start to selling flower, fruit,Diya etc Pooja materials which crate also ‘Vocal for Local.’ When per capita income of local people increases than also National income (GDP) will increases.
The Ram mandir will have the biggest impact on the tourism sector. The ratio of its residents and tourists will be 1:1 throughout the year. Expected to come 1-1.5 crore Tourists monthly. The another biggest impact has been seen in Hospitality sector. At present 73 hotels have been approved in Ayodhya. The first international brand ‘Radisson Hotel ‘ is coming and ‘Taj’ group has also announced its two hotels.

Along this there are 500 homestays has also been approved. The share will be increasing in PRAVEG company, Indian hotels corporation limited, ITC limited etc. The another one where boom can be seen is Travel sector. Therefore, Shri Ram International Airport started. Railways has run a special train for Ayodhya. Real Estate sector also has been seen boom. Here Property Price increases from 10 to 20 times.
UP Housing and Development Board start a 1200 crore project to build Residential colonials, Government guest House. In Infrastructure sector over 200 projects worth around 40,000 crore are ongoing in 37 different departments.Travel Booking company EaseMyTrip.com share increase. From less than 2 lakh tourists in 2017, Ayodhya welcomed over 2 crore Tourists in 2022.

The hospitality, travel and tourism industry has created up to 20,000 additional jobs. In Ayodhya Bank deposits touch record 200 lakh crore, double from 2016. Employment Opportunities has been seen in Huge Demand for Labour,Local Youth working as a Guide,Land Allotment to Dharamshalas, Religious Organisation,Ashrams and Develop Buildings, Electronics and Technology jobs etc.

CM of UP Yogi Adityanath said Ram mandir a milestone for UP towards $ 1 trillion economy. In travel sector Indigo announces direct connectivity between Mumbai and Ayodhya. Air India Express announces Direct Flight from these cities to ‘Ram Nagari’ Ayodhya. Akasa Air announces daily flights to Ayodhya from Pune.
Therefore we have seen that India is rich in their culture and traditions. So the Temple Economy (Religious Economy) gives more contribution on growth of Indian economy. If the concept of temple Economy goes in right direction, initiatives are implemented, temple infrastructure development, Government also promote their efforts to growth of the temples,

Taking inciatives for modifying ancient temples then in future days temple Economy gives lots of contributions in several sectors to promote growth of India. Temple Economy also generate employment opportunities,Rural or Local area development, Developed Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Communication, service sector etc.

Taking the concept of Religious Economy Vatican City, Mecca (Saudi Arabia) now achieved boom stages of their economy. In India followed seriously the Religious Economy concept. After these there are also some religious places, temples etc are which are not modified well.
Some religious places are still unsung. If our government focuses on these than the local development will started and by following this India’s development process also started , GDP will rises and Economy achieve boom period. Then In India One side we can see victory of Religion and other side boom of the economy.
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