religious tourism

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT: To analyze the present market conditions in the segment and to determine the

factors giving strength and necessary impetus to the industry.

To analyze the growth prospects of the Hospitality industry at Religious spots in

India.

To know about the emergence of Hospitality industry in Domestic Tourism market.

To understand the nature of services rendered and various facilities provided by

Hospitality Industry.

To know about the recent trends & services of main Hospitality players in India.

To understand the future prospects and challenges faced by Hospitality Industry

activity.

To do the SWOT analysis of the segment and study the various trends existent in this

segment and the new products that are on the line to be tested and established.

RELIGIOUS TOURISM

• Religious tourism, also commonly referred to as faith tourism, is a form of tourism, whereby people of faith travel individually or in groups for pilgrimage, missionary, or leisure (fellowship) purposes.

• Religious tourism has a big future in India. India is richly endowed with ancient temples and religious festivals. Religions originating in India, be it Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism or Buddhism, have a vibrant culture and spiritual philosophy. Together, they present a viable, alternative way of life as compared to the materialism and confrontation prevalent in the West.

• The religions of Indian origin are also proving to be an attraction to many persons of non-Indian origin because these religions advocate a pacifist and inclusive approach to life. This is evident from the posts that can be read on the numerous blog sites devoted to religion. And

there can be no better way to introduce these aspirants to Indian religions than to entice them to come to India and undertake and experience religious tourism themselves.

• India has long been known as a very spiritual, religious heavy area of the world. in India, religion is a way of life. It is an integral part of the entire Indian tradition. For the majority of Indians, religion permeates every aspect of life, from common- place daily chores to education and politics.

• Secular India is home to Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and otherinnumerable religious traditions. Hinduism is the dominant faith, practiced by over 80% of the population. Besides Hindus, Muslims are the most prominent religious group and are an integral part of Indian society.

• Common practices have crept into most religious faiths in India and many of the festivals that mark each year with music, dance and feasting are shared by all communities.

• A study by the Delhi Based National council for applied economic research (NCAER) shows that of the 230 million tourist trips undertaken in India, the largest proportion is made up of religious pilgrimage.

• People travelling for religious reasons primarily belong to the elderly community as well as NRI’s both of whom are particular about accommodation and other amenities.

• Domestic Tourism registers an impressive growth during 2009 :

During 2009, the number of domestic tourist visits to the States/

UTs was 650 million as compared to 563 million in 2008 and 527

millions in 2007.

During 2009, the number of domestic tourist visits to States/UTs

registered an increase of 15.5% over 2008 as compared to increase

of 6.9% in 2008 over 2007.

The top ten States in terms of number of domestic tourist visits (in

millions) during 2009 were Andhra Pradesh (157.5), Uttar Pradesh

(134.8), Tamil Nadu (115.8), Karnataka (32.7), Rajasthan (25.6),

Maharashtra (23.7), Madhya Pradesh (23.1), Uttarakhand (21.9),

West Bengal (20.5) and Gujarat (15.9).

The contribution of top 10 States was about 88% to the total

number of domestic tourist visits during 2009. The percentage

shares of top 5 States were Andhra Pradesh (24.2%), Uttar

Pradesh (20.7%), Tamil Nadu (17.8%), Karnataka (5.0%) and Rajasthan

(3.9%).

Religious Hotspots in India and the Number of visitors according to the study by NCAER:

Religious Hotspot Purpose of Visit Number of Visitors(Million)

Tirupati, South India Temple, Diety 23

Puri, East Coast Temple, Diety 18.17

Vaishno Devi, North India Temple, Diety 17.25

Haridwar, North India Holy Bath, River Ganga 11.04

Shirdi, Western India Pay respects to Saint Sai Baba 6.21

Somnath

Shrinathji

TIRUPATI : Tirupati is a bustling little town at the foot of the Tirumalai Hills in the southern

tip of Andhra Pradesh. Every day thousands of pilgrims descend on Tirupati, all enroute to

the temple of the Lord Venkateswara up in the Tirumalai hills.The temple is located in the

cool of the verdant hills at a height of 890 meters. It nestles in a hollow surrounded by the

peaks of the 7 hills of Tirumalai.

This shrine attracts more devotees than any other temple in India and about 25,000 people

coming from all over the country visit it daily, firm in the belief that any wish expressed

before this image of the Lord Venkateswara will be granted.

HOTELS

1. Ramee Hotel : Guestline Tirupati a 3 star resort located Tirumala Hills, 3.5 kms from the

Tirupati railway station, 17 kms from the airport and 25 kms from Tirumala (Andhra

Pradesh, India).

Accessibility :

Tirupati Airport : 17 KM

Tirupati Railway Station : 3.5 KM

Locational : Ramee Hotel Guestline is located right at the foothills of Tirumala Hills.

Accommodation :

The hotel has 77 spacious, gracefully festooned rooms, classified as Suite Room, Club Room

and Family Room. All the rooms are outfitted with contemporary facilities to provide utmost

comfort.

Restaurants :

The Restaurant: A fine eatery that serves a great variety of lip-smacking dishes.

Distance: Bangalore : 230 kms, Chennai : 160 kms

2. Hotel Bliss : is a three star property located right in the centre of the city of Tirupati

(Andhra Pradesh - INDIA) .It provides friendly and homely stay to guests along with its

Banquet facilities which has 9 Venues centrally Air-conditioned elegantly furnished with

built in music system suitable for all kinds of functions/meetings with ranges from 5 to 2000

PAX also a roof top with a capacity of 1000 PAX.

Accessibility :


Tirupati Railway Station : 1 KM

Tirupati Bus Stand : 0.5 KM

Location: Hotel Bliss is located in the city center, near the railway station.

Accommodation:

The hotel has 117 exquisitely furnished rooms, categorized into Standard Room, Executive

Room, Club Room, Suite Room and Presidential Suite. All the rooms are carefully appointed

with plush amenities.

Restaurants :

Navrattan: A pure vegetarian restaurant, serving delicious Indian cuisine.

Khazana: A restaurant with magnificent setting, offering multi-cuisine fare.

Madhuvan: A well-stocked bar that serves quality liquors and exotic cocktails.

Surya: A place to relish over a selection of drinks and beverages.

3. The Fortune Kences Hotel : showcases modern architecture making it a landmark in

Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh, India), famous for Lord Venkateswaras shrine on the Seven Hills of

Tirumala. The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spots in

India. The hotel is situated in Renigunta Road.

Accessibility :

Tieupati Airport : 17 KM


Location : Fortune Kences Hotel is very close to the railway station.

Accommodation :

The hotel has 124 tastefully designed rooms that include 82 Standard Rooms, 30 Fortune

Club Rooms and 12 Suites. Each of the rooms boasts of fascinating décor and is well

equipped with luxurious conveniences.

Restaurants :

The Greens: A lavish eatery, to savor mouthwatering vegetarian dishes.

The Orchid: A multi-cuisine restaurant which serves appetizing delicacies.

Chillers and Fillers: A classy coffee lounge to relax while sipping hot brews.

The Regal Bar: A lounge bar, offering a gamut of wines, cocktails & mocktail

4. Kalyan Residency : is an elegant 3 star hotel with 58 well appointed rooms designed for

all our needs providing maximum comfort every moment in the calm and tranquil interiors

with fully centralized air-condition.

Accessibility :



Tirupati Bus Stand : 0.2 KM

Location: Kalyan Residency is ideally located at the Town Planning Area (T.P. Area) in the

heart of Tirupathi.

Accommodation :

The hotel has 58 well-maintained rooms, in the categories of Executive Single Room,

Executive Double Room, Deluxe Double Room and Deluxe Suite. All the rooms are coupled

with the most modern accessories.

Restaurants :

Trupthi: An elegant restaurant, which offers a wide range of luscious cuisine.

KATRA OR KATRA VAISHNO DEVI : as it is popularly called is a small town in the hilly

northern state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is 2,473 ft above the sea level and is 50 Km away

from Jammu.

The town serves as the base camp for visiting the famous Ma Vaishno Devi Shrine, which is

13 Km uphill from Katra. Situated in the foothills of Trikuta Mountains, Katra is visited by

more than 6.2 million devotees each year.

HOTELS:

1. Hotel Asia The Vaishnodevi : is centrally located in the heart of the town Katra (Jammu

and Kashmir, India).

Accessibility: :

Jammu Airport : 48 KM

Jammu Railway Station : 48 KM

Location:

Located just half a kilometre from the bus stand and Yatra Registration Office, Hotel Asia

Vaishnodevi lies in the heart of Katra.

Accommodation:

The hotel offers comfortable accommodation in 36 well furnished rooms that are divided

into 2 Royal rooms, 8 Garden View Double rooms, 8 Garden View Family rooms, 9 Shrine

View Double rooms and 7 Shrine View Family rooms. Each room is equipped with all modern

amenities including cable television, intercom service

Restaurants:

Bhog, the vegetarian multi cuisine restaurant at Hotel Asia Vaishnodevi serves scrumptious

Indian and Chinese fare. It remains open from 7 am to 11 pm. While meal timings are fixed

for breakfast (7 am - 11 am), lunch (12 noon - 3 pm) and dinner (7 pm - 11 pm), snacks and

beverages are available from 3 pm to 7 pm in the restaurant and from 11 pm onwards

through room service only.

2. Hotel Jai Maa Inn: majestically stands on the cross-roads to Jammu & Kashmir, and is

located at walking distance from Yatra Slip Counter, Bus Stand, Taxi Stand, Main Shopping

Area and it is Nearest to the Helipad.

Location :

The hotel is located 55 kilometres from Jammu Airport, 50 kilometres from Jammu Tawi

Railway Station and just a 5 minutes walk from the Yatra Slip Counter and taxi stand.

Rooms :

The hotel offers a total of 52 rooms which are divided into 45 Luxury rooms and 7 Suites.

The rooms cater to single travellers and larger families as well. The facilities common to all

the rooms are cable television, room service, hot & cold water, balcony, telephone, heater,

wireless internet and a fruit basket. The attached washrooms are equally well appointed

and receive a continuous supply of hot and cold water. The rooms offer a world of comfort

and convenience for the guests.

Restaurant:

The hotel offers dining facilities in the form of a multi cuisine restaurant which serves purely

vegetarian food (Indian, Chinese, South Indian, Continental and Gujarati) without onions

and garlic. The hotel caters to the needs of guests at all hours through the 24 hour coffee

shop and 24 hour room service.

3. Country Inn & Suites : is located at 7 kms from Katra (Jammu and Kashmir, India). Katra is

Located at 50 Kms from Jammu, a small town which serves as the base camp for visiting the

famous shrine of Vaishno Devi Ji in the Trikuta Hills. The shrine is approachable on foot

along a 12 Kms.

Accessibility: :

Jammu : 50 KM

Katra : 7 KM

Location:

Hotel is set amidst 8 acres of lush green lanscape in the Himalayan ranges at 7 kms from

Katra

Accommodation:

Enjoy the comfort of our rooms and suites, which feature 24-hour room service,

international direct dialing telephones, TV, high-speed, wireless Internet access,

complimentary newspaper and much more.

Restaurants:

Country Inn & Suites offers a complimentary breakfast each morning and delicious drinks at

Trikuta Tea Lounge throughout the day. Our Katra hotel's restaurant, The Maple, serves fine

Indian, Oriental and Mexican cuisine 24 hours a day.

4. KC Residency Hotel : in Katra (Jammu and Kashmir, India) is a deluxe category hotel

located near the town entrance.

Accessibility: :



Location:

Hotel KC Residency Katra Vaishnodevi is, centrally located hotel in Katra

Accommodation:

Hotel KC Residency Katra has 57 centrally air-conditioned guest rooms. All delux and super

delux rooms give a clear view of Trikuta Hills and the holy track to Mata Vaishnodevi

Bhawan.

Room at KC residency Katra is equipped with all modern facilities, including Satellite

Television, International Direct Dial Telephone, Internet Connectivity, Tea Maker, Toiletries

and Refrigerator.

Restaurants:

The magnificent MILAN, DARPAN and UPVAN make dinning at Hotel KC Residency Katra an

experience to remember.

MILAN - The casual lobby lounge "MILAN" located in the spacious lobby serves soft

beverages and tea.

DARPAN - The multicuisine speciality restaurant is facing the Trikuta Hills and the lush green

garden on one side. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

UPVAN - This roof top open air restaurant serving sizzlers and Bar-Be-Que is open in the

evenings.

5. Hotel Subhash International : is centrally located in the heart of the town Katra (Jammu

and Kashmir, India), next to taxi stand with bus stand, yatra slip counter and main market in

the neighbourhood.

Accessibility: :


Vaishno Devi Shrine : 12 KM

Location:

Subhash International is centrally located in the heart of the town Katra

Accommodation:

All Rooms are wall to wall carpet, Fully AC, Colour TV, Refrigerator, Rooms are categorized

as Executive suite: Executive Suite having view of Mata Vaishno Devi track, Family Room:

Family Room with two twin beds and two bathrooms where a family can stay in one

compact., Executive Double Room: Executive Double Room with full view of lush green

Trikuta Hills.

Restaurants:

Tulsi Restaurant, Sagar Ratna, Coffee Cafe Day, Baskin Robbins.

6. Hotel Ambika : Katra (Jammu & Kashmir, India ) at the foothills of trikuta. The abode of

Mata Vaishnodevi is a luxury hotel located at 50 Km from Jammu a small town which serves

as the base camp for visiting the famous shrine of Vaishno Devi Ji in the Trikuta Hills. The

shrine is approachable on foot along a 12 Kms.

Accessibility:

Jammu Airport: 48 KM


Location:

Hotel Ambica is located just half a kilometre from the bus stand and Yatra Registration

Office, Hotel Ambica lies in the heart of Katra.

Accommodation:

Hotel Ambica offers comfortable accommodation in well equipped rooms that have

balconies and attached bath rooms with running hot and cold water. Each room is

appointed with an air-conditioner, colour television and telephone. Room service is

available round the clock.

Restaurants:

Rukmani - This vegetarian restaurant of the hotel serves an eclectic variety of Indian,

Chinese and Continental cuisine. Cooked without onion or garlic, the dishes are nonetheless

very tasteful and will surely satisfy all your taste buds. Select from the impressive range of

delectable delicacies to give all your taste buds a treat.

7. Hotel Varun : is located at Katra (Jammu and Kashmir, India) on the .

Accessibility: :



Location:

Located on Kashmir Road, Hotel Varun lies just a kilometer from the bus stand

Accommodation:

The hotel offers comfortable accommodation in 42 well furnished rooms that are divided

into 30 Deluxe Double rooms, 4 Deluxe Family Suites, 6 Standard Rooms and 2 Standard

Family Suites. While all Deluxe rooms and suites are air conditioned, the Standard rooms

and suites feature fans.

Restaurants:

Hotel Varun has an in-house vegetarian multi cuisine restaurant that serves delectable

Indian and Chinese fare from 6 am to 11 pm. Select Gujarati dishes and Continental snacks

are available for breakfast. Room service is available round the clock though only certain

snacks and beverages are served after midnight.

8. Hotel Mount View : is located at Katra (Jammu and Kashmir, India) near Yatra Slip

Counter.

Accessibility: :



Location:

Located close to the Yatra ticket counter, the hotel lies in the heart of town and is easily

accessible

Accommodation:

Mount View offers comfortable accommodation in well equipped air-conditioned rooms. All

rooms have round the clock room service. Amenities include television with satellite

connection and sofa unit.

Restaurants:

Hotel Varun has an in-house vegetarian multi cuisine restaurant.

9. The White Orchid : is a 200 room Hotel located at Katra, the base of the Vaishnovdevi

shrine near Jammu (J&K, India). The rooms overlook the Valley from one end and the

Mountains from the other.

Location:

The hotel is located in the heart of the town and is easily accessible. It enjoys proximity to all

places of tourist interest in and around Katra.

Accommodation:

The hotel offers accommodation in luxuriously furnished rooms that are equipped with all

modern amenities including cable television, telephone, tea/coffee maker, music system

and room heater. Mineral water and fruit basket/cookies are provided in each room at the

time of arrival. All rooms also enjoy Wi-Fi connectivity. The attached washrooms are equally

well appointed and receive a continuous supply of hot and cold water.

Restaurants:

Dining facilities at The White Orchid include a multi cuisine restaurant and a coffee shop.

While the restaurant serves a range of cuisines, the coffee shop offers a variety of

sumptuous

10. Devi Grand Hotel : in Katra (Jammu and Kashmir, India) is a deluxe category hotel

located near the town entrance having 58 rooms.

Accessibility:


Jammu Railway station: 45 KM

Location:

Hotel Devi Grand is located near the Katra Toll Barrier on Reasi Road in Katra

Accommodation:

The hotel offers comfortable accommodation in 72 spacious guest rooms that are divided

into 30 Executive Club rooms, 22 Superior Club rooms, 7 Club Suites and 6 Deluxe Suites. All

rooms are air conditioned, well furnished and equipped with a LCD television, intercom

telephone, refrigerator

Restaurants:

Hotel Devi Grand has an in-house vegetarian restaurant, which offers a wide range of

culinary delights like North Indian, South Indian, Continental and Chinese. The restaurant is

open from 7 am to 11 pm while snacks & beverages are available round the clock through

room service. The hotel also has a 24 hour coffee shop.

11. Hotel The Vaishnodevi : is centrally located in the heart of the town Katra (Jammu and

Kashmir, India).

Accessibility:


Jammu Railway Station: 48 KM.

Location:

Hotel The Vaishnodevi Katra is Located very close to the Katra Bus Depot

Accommodation:

From standard, deluxe to luxurious rooms, every kind of accommodation is available at

Katra Hotel The Vaishnodevi. The rooms are pretty beautiful and cozy. Appointed with good

number of modern amenities, these rooms serve the basic needs of the guests. Some of the

invariably found modern amenities of the rooms are attached baths, running hot & cold

water, television and more.

Restaurants:

Onsite Multi Cuisine Restaurant - the plush interiors and the warm ambience of the

restaurant at Hotel The Vaishnodevi in Katra, set a perfect mood for dining. It whips up

some exclusive recipes for Kashmiri delicacies and also features tasty and scrumptious

Indian and Continental cuisines among others.

Bar - the well stocked bar at this hotel is famous for serving exotic and rich drinks &

cocktails.

The Shirdi Saibaba Temple: located at Shirdi, Maharashtra, India attracts millions of

devotees of all religions, castes and creed who come to pay homage to Shri Sai Baba. The

temple is a beautiful shrine that was built over the Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba.

Shirdi is a small village in Kopargam taluk, in Ahmadnagar District of the Maharastra State.

Nearby destinations : Shani Shinganapur | Nashik | Bhandardara

HOTELS:

1. Hotel Sai Leela : Shirdi (Maharashtra, India)is a Sai devotee hotel within 5 minutes walk

from the temple,

Accessibility:

Aurangabad Airport: 130 KM

Kopergaon Railway Station : 19 KM

Sai Nagar Station : 2 KM

Shirdi Bus Stand : 1 KM.

Locational : Hotel Sai Leela is located at a walking distance from the holy shrine.

Accommodation :

The hotel has well-kept rooms, categorized as Single Room, Double Room, Deluxe Double

and Villa Double. The rooms are fitted with all the latest facilities.

Restaurants :

Nandi: A multi-cuisine restaurant that offers a gamut of delicious dishes.

2. The Shraddha Inn : is situated very close to the Shri Sai Baba temple, just 5 minute's walk

away from the Sai Baba Temple.Shraddha Inn has 5-star facilities and services to match the

best in Shirdi.

Accessibility:

Aurangabad : 144 KM

Manmad Railway Station: 60 KM



Shirdi Bus Stand : 0.5 KM.

Accommodation:

The hotel houses 75 centrally air-conditioned rooms that are categorised as Standard or

Superior rooms, Suites and Deluxe Suites. The Standard rooms are available in both twin

and double bedded styles, with some of them interconnected with each other. The Deluxe

Suite is bigger in size and has a separate drawing-dining and bedroom and two televisions,

one in each room. The interiors are done in green and white for both of the above rooms

and have got matching curtains and linen. The Suite is a sober version of the Deluxe Suite

with a dining table for 4 and a sofa set with table, television, mini refrigerators and beautiful

decorative pieces, lamps and paintings in the drawing room.

Restaurants:

Shraddha Inn offers a range of dining options. Rajbhog, the pure vegetarian multi-cuisine

restaurant at the hotel is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It has a round and square

table setting and serves both buffet and a la carte also boasts of a 24-hour coffee shop,

Naivedya. In addition, room service is available round the clock.

4. Hotel Saish : is located at Shirdi (Maharashtra, India), one of the best located hotel at

Shirdi with the famous saibaba temple being just a five minutes walk away.

Accessibility:





Locational : Hotel Saish is located at a walking distance from the holy shrine.

Accommodation :

Hotel Saish has well furnished 32 rooms. Each guest room is fitted with a colour T.V., air-

conditioning, a direct-dial telephone and a private toilet and shower with hot and cold

running water

Restaurants :

Veg. Restaurant. a multi-cuisine restaurant which serves mouthwatering dishes. and Coffee

Shop.

5. Hotel Sai Village : is located at Shirdi (Maharashtra, India) It is just walking distance from

Shri Sai Baba Temple .

Locational : Hotel Sai Village is located at a walking distance from the holy shrine.

Accessibility:





Accommodation :

All the 46 rooms at Hotel Sai Village, are elegantly furnished with a view to provide utmost

comfort to our guests.

Restaurant :

Multi-cuisine restaurant . Here, you can treat yourself to delicious Indian, Chinese or local

cuisine excellent service.

6. Hotel Kalpataru : is located at Shirdi (Maharashtra, India), ideal for an economic stay in

Shirdi.

Location:

Hotel Kalpataru is located at a distance of two minutes walking distance from Shirdi Saibaba

Temple.

Accessibility:

Aurangabad Airport : 144 KM




Accommodation:

Hotel Kalpataru provides with AC Rooms, Non AC Rooms, and Triple & Family Rooms

options, the rooms are equipped with TV, telephone, bath tub and hot/cold water supply.

Conference hall:

The conference hall is well-suited for all types of business needs.

Dinning:Vegetarian Restaurant Serving Delicious Food.South Indian, Punjabi, & Andhra

Thali.

7. Sun-n-Sand Shirdi : (Maharashtra, India) a 100 room hotel with 5 Star facilities located at

a short distance from the famous Shirdi Saibaba Temple and a major pilgrimage centre in

western India.

Location :

Sun-Sand- Shirdi is located at a short distance from the famous Shirdi Saibaba Mandir

Accessibility :

Nasik Airport : 90 KM

Kopargoan Railway Station : 16 KM


Bus Depot : 2 KM

Accommodation :

The hotel has exquisitely designed 120 rooms, including Temple-Facing Room, Pool-Facing

Room, Studio Room, Suite and 20 Apartments. Each of the accommodations is equipped

with the modern amenities.

Restaurants :

Country Green: A vegetarian restaurant offering scrumptious dishes.

Checkers: A stylish coffee shop serving beverages and snacks.

Distances : Mumbai - 260 kms | Nashik - 90 kms | Pune : 200 kms | Surat : 350 kms |

Aurangabad : 144 kms | Saputara : 175 kms | Bhandardara : 90 kms

8. Hotel Reeva Suites : located in Shirdi (Maharashtra, India) is only All Suite Room, Ten

minutes walk from Sai babas shrine.

Location:

Just 5 Minutes walking distance from Shri Sai Baba Temple, the hotel is located at 112

Shirdi-Shiv Road, Nighoj, Shirdi (Maharashtra).

Accessibility:





Accommodation:

20 well appointed spacious, well-planned Air-conditioned Suites.

Restaurant:

Reeva Lounge: Multi Cuisine Restaurant

Distance: Mumbai - 260 kms | Nashik - 90 kms | Pune: 200 kms | Surat: 350 kms |

Aurangabad: 144 kms | Saputara: 175 kms | Bhandardara: 90 kms

9. Hotel Sai Aashish : is located in the heart of Shirdi and lies opposite the Sun n Sand hotel.

It enjoys proximity to all areas of Shirdi.The main Sai Baba temple complex is approximately

1 km from the hotel.

Accessibility:





Accommodation:

Hotel Sai Aashish offers comfortable accommodation in well furnished rooms that are

equipped with a television and telephone each. Hot water is available only for a few hours

early in the morning.

Restaurant:

Hotel Sai Aashish serves delectable vegetarian fare in its multi cuisine restaurant, Durga.

Guests can also enjoy dining in the comfort of their rooms through room service.

10. Hotel Siddhant : is located at 2 minutes walk from Shirdi Sri Saibaba's Shrine

(Maharashtra, India), one of the best located hotel at Shirdi .

Accessibility:





Accommodation :

Hotel Siddhant has well furnished 32 rooms. Each guest room is fitted with a colour T.V., air-

conditioning, Inter-com service and a private toilet and shower with hot and cold running

water.

Restaurant:

PureVegetarian A/C Restaurant Serving Delicious Food.

South Indian, Punjabi, Chinese Dishes & Juices.

Distance : Mumbai - 260 kms | Nashik - 90 kms | Pune : 200 kms | Surat : 350 kms |

Aurangabad : 144 kms | Saputara : 175 kms | Bhandardara : 90km.

11. Hotel Goradias at Shirdi : (Maharashtra, India) is a 4-star hotel, one of the best located

hotel at Shirdi with the famous saibaba temple being just across the road.

Accessibility:





Locational : Hotel Goradia's is located at a walking distance from the holy shrine.

Accommodation :

The hotel has lavishly decorated 80 guest rooms. The rooms are spacious, well-appointed

and are provided with all the luxury amenities.

Restaurants :

Woodlands: A multi-cuisine restaurant which serves mouthwatering dishes.

Goradias Special Andhra & Gujrathi Restaurant.

12. Hotel Anand Palace : is a Newly Renovated Hotel located in Shird(Maharashtra,India)

Location:

Hotel Anand Palace is at 5 minutes walk from Sri Saibaba's Temple .

Accessibility:





Accommodation :

26 newly renovated luxurious rooms with all 3 star amenities.All rooms have Intercom, LCD

TV, Soft Quilts for your high comfort and cosy feeling.Fully Furnished Luxurious Rooms with

Balcony, LCD tv, Intercom.'3-Bed' Rooms with LCD tv and intercom.'5- Bed' Rooms with two

bathrooms, LCD tv, intercom.9- Bed" Family Union Room.

Restaurant :

Hotel Anand Palace has in house pure veg restaurant Serving a wide variety of

menu,Gujarati, punjabi, north indian, south indian, chinese, as well .

Distance: Nashik - 90 kms | Pune: 200 kms | Surat : 350 kms , Saputara : 175 kms |

Bhandardara : 90 kms

13. Sai Baba International : is first & a prominent hotel in Shirdi ( Maharashtra, India).

Conveniently located at a stone's throw distance from the Shri Sai Baba Temple.

Accessibility:



Shirdi Bus Stand : 1 KM

Locational: Hotel Sai Baba International at one minute to the sacred Shrine of Saibaba

Temple .

Accommodation:

The hotel has 72 well-maintained rooms, categorized The hotel consists of 70 Delux & AC

rooms with 2 Maharaja Suites & 3 Dormitaries of 17 beds.. The rooms are finely appointed

and are filled up with modern facilities.

Restaurants:

Pure Veg Woodland Restaurant serving South Indian, Punjabi & Chinese Dishes.

Importance:

The hotel has one big Stone in the compound known as Khangar baba were Sri Sai Baba

used to sit on that Stoneis now covered by Water fountain.

14. Hotel Kalasai : in Shirdis (Maharashtra, India) is a exclusive place for accommodation.

Accessibility:





Accommodation:

Hotel Kala Saiai has 42 rooms. Ac Rooms, Non Ac Rooms, Ac Suites, Conference Hall.

Location:

The Kalasai hotel is located at Ahmednagar - Manmad Highway, and is 5 minutes away from

the temple.

The Conference Hall at KalaSai provides you ultimate environment for Product Launches,

Company Annual Events, Seminars, Conferences and Alumni Gatherings. The Conference

Hall has been designed with modern amenities, audio visual equipments, teaching aids

providing perfect venue for any professional meet. Hall Capacity - Area 1500sq. ft with

capacity of 150.

Distance: Mumbai - 260 kms | Nashik - 90 kms | Pune : 200 kms | Surat : 350 kms |

Aurangabad : 144 kms | Saputara : 175 kms | Bhandardara : 90 kms

15. Hotel Sai Sahavas : is a prominent hotel in Shirdi (Maharashtra, India). Conveniently

located at a stone's throw distance from the Shri Sai Baba Temple.

Accessibility :



Shirdi Bus Stand : 1 KM

Locational: Hotel Sai Sahavas is located close to the sacred temple .

Accommodation :

The hotel has 46 well-maintained rooms, categorized into Sweet Room, Deluxe Room and

Executive Room. The rooms are finely appointed and are filled up with modern facilities.

Restaurants :

Siddhi: A fine eatery which serves lip-smacking Indian, Chinese and local cuisine.

16. Hotel Suvidha : is ideal for an economic stay in Shirdi (Maharashtra,India).

Locational : Shraddha Inn is centrally located in the holy town of Shirdi.

Accessibility:





Accommodation:

Hotel Suvidha offers well furnished rooms in variety of options Double Bed Rooms, Triple

Bed Rooms,Four beded Family Rooms& Non AC rooms .

Restaurant:

Anmol a multicusine. Offering a wide range of vegetarian food.

Distance: Nashik - 90 kms | Pune: 200 kms, Surat : 350 kms ,Saputara : 175 kms

Bhandardara : 90 kms

17. Hotel Nalanda : is one of the finest budget hotels in Shirdi(Maharashtra, India). The

hotel is conveniently located in the close proximity of the sacred Shri Sai Baba Temple.

Accessibility:





Locational : Hotel Goradia's is located at a walking distance from the holy shrine.

Accommodation :

Hotel Nalanda offers standard accommodation facility and quality services at reasonable

price.Hotel Nalanda has spacious and well-appointed 44 guest rooms. Each of the room is

equipped with the basic facilities.

18. Sanskruti Resort : is a budget property located at Shirdi ( Maharashtra,India)at a

distance of 2 km from Shirdi Saibaba Temple .

Location :

Sanskruti Resort in on the wat to Shanishingnapur at a distance of 2 km from Shirdi Saibaba

Temple and provides easy access to all parts of the town.

Accessibility:





Accommodation :

Located in Shirdi, Sanskruti Resort offers Deluxe Double and Sharing (up to 4 people) air

conditioned and non air conditioned rooms. All rooms are tastefully furnished with a colour

television. The attached bathroom has hot water available between 4 am and 9 am only.

Room service is offered 24 hours. Sanskruti Resort has elegantly furnished and centrally air

conditioned rooms. These rooms are divided into Standard A/C Room and Standard Non A/C

Room

Restaurant: Sanskruti Resort serves delicious Punjabi,Chinese & TraditionalMaharashtrian

Food With Family Garden Restaurant.

19. Hotel Shiv Sai : is a new budget hotel located in Shirdi(Maharashtra,India).

Location:

Hotel Shiv Sai is located at a distance of 1 km from Sri Saibaba's Shrine .

Accessibility:





Accommodation :

Hotel Shiv Sai offers 43 well furnished rooms in variety of options Double Bed Rooms, Non

Ac Rooms & Suite Rooms.

Restaurant

:Vegetarian Restaurant Serving Delicious Food.South Indian, Punjabi, & Andhra Thali.

Hotel Shiv Sai provides free transport from Hotel to Temple and back to Hotel.

SOMNATH : literally means Lord of Moon, derived its name from the temple Somnath

temple. This religious destination was earlier known as ‘Prabhas Patan’. This town,

unaffected by the modern luxuries and concrete jungles, still holds its historical,

mythological and religious appeal to masses of Hindu devotees.

Somnath has got its mention in Puranas and Hindu Epics including Mahabharata. This place

is considered as a place where Moon (Soma) worshipping the Lord Shiva and hence Shiva is

called as Somnath here. Another Hindu mythological story mentions Somnath as the place

where Lord Krishna was shot by an arrow in his foot. It is believed that the Yadavas, the

descendents of Lord Krishna, fought among themselves and destroyed the Yadav

community.

Placed at the extreme southwest Arabian Coast in Sourashtra, Somnath town encloses a

serene beach, few streets and a bus stand. It is believed that Somnath is located at a place

where the holy River Saraswathy flows into the Sea.

This sacred temple town vibrant with ‘Shiv Bhajan’ is visited by millions of tourists every

year.

Nearby destinations : Diu Bhavnagar

HOTELS:

1. Hotel Ambar : is famous hotel for pilgrims visiting Shri Somnath Jyotirling Temple in

Somnath,(Gujarat ,India ).

Accessibility: :

Somnath Temple : 1.5-KM

Diu : 85- KM

Dwarka : 230- KM

Location:

Hotel Amber is located at Veraval - Kodinar by Pass.

Accommodation:

Hotel Amber having 48 Rooms A/C & non A/C standard & Deluxe Rooms, 24 Hour Room

Service, Laundry Facility, Travel Assistant & Guides, and for specially the Business Customer

fully Wi-Fi hotel to operate their Business from the Comfort of Hotel Ambar.

Restaurants:

Gujarati, Punjabi, Chinese and Continental Food prepared by our most hygienic and

professional chefs - Veg-Only Restaurant.

2. Safari Hotel and Resort : is located at Walking distance from Somnath temple near

Veraval (Gujarat, India).

Facilities :

24 hours room service

Direct Dialing Telephone

Doctor on Call

Travel Assistance

Multi-cuisine Restaurant

Children Park

Indoor Games

Laundry

3. Hotel Sukhsagar : located at 100 meters from Somnath temple near Veraval (Gujarat,

India). Somnath Mahadev Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shiva temples.

Accessibility:

Dwarka : 230 KM

Diu : 85 KM

Porbandar : 130 KM

Location:

Hotel Sukhsagar located at 100 meters from Somnath temple near Veraval

Accommodation:

24 AC & Non AC Rooms (Royal Suite, Deluxe & Standard rooms) with attached bath with 24

hrs H & C water supply

Restaurants:

Hotel Sukhsagar has a AC restaurant that serves delicious Indian Vegetarian meals .

Nathdwara, Rajasthan : This small town is famous as the home for Sri Nathji, one of the

most popular Deities of Lord Krishna in India. The name of the town means doorway to

Nathji. Nathdwar is very crowded on Janmastami and during Govardhana Puja.

Nathdwar is located 48 km northeast of Udaipur, in Rajasthan, on the right bank of the

Banas River.

Sri Nathji is a beautiful black marble Deity of Lord Krishna, standing with his left hand

upraised lifting Govardhan Hill. The Deity appears in a large black stone from which his form

emerges in bas-relief. The stone around the Deity bears several marks: two cows, a snake, a

lion, two peacocks, a parrot by the Lord’s head, two sages seated on his right side and a

third on his left, and below the sages is another snake. Around the Lord’s neck is a flower

garland, resembling a black snake.

The same Deity (known then as Gopal) was worshiped by Madhavendra Puri in Vrindavan.

Rana Raj Singh of Mewar brought Sri Nathji to Nathdwar in the 17th century. The temple of

Sri

Nathji is said to be the second richest temple in India, the first being the Balaji Temple in

Tirupati.

Architecturally, the temple is simple, but the devotees’ enthusiasm is among the greatest in

India. Every day Sri Gopal is offered large quantities of opulent foodstuffs cooked in ghee.

The maha-prasada is excellent and can be easily purchased at stalls outside the temple.

Mangala-arati begins at 5 am. Darshan continues after the arati. During darshan the

mukhiyajis, as the priests here arare called, close and open the curtain in front of the Deity

several times.

The Lord wears a large diamond beneath his lips, which is said to have been a gift from the

Muslim emperor, Akbar. There is a story that Sri Nathji once tore his garment while rushing

back to the temple to be on time for darshan. From that day on, it has been a custom to

blow the conch and then wait several minutes before opening the altar doors.

The temple priests are all followers of Vallabhacarya, who was born in 1479. His son Sri

Vitthalanathji raised the worship of Sri Nathji to a very high standard. The temple is under

the management of the main acharya (spiritual leader) of the Vallabha-sampradaya, called

the Tilakayata. He is the head of the temple.

Once, when Sri Vallabhacarya defeated a large group of impersonalist scholars at

Vidyanagar, King Krishnadeva Raya presented him with a gift of many gold coins. Sri

Vallabhacarya gave most of these to the local Brahmins and kept only seven. Those seven

coins were then made into an ornament for Sri Nathji. The Deity still wears it today.

The temple owns over 500 cows. One of the cows is called “Sri Nathji’s cow,” and she comes

from a lineage that has served the Deity for generations. The milk from this cow is offered

only to Sri Nathji to drink.

Many people attend each arati. The temple room is extremely crowded and pilgrims have to

constantly move on by the force of the crowds. The pushing is unlike other situations in

which you are pushed in India. It is actually pleasurable to experience the devotees’ extreme

desire to see Sri Nathji.

Mangala-arati is at 5 am in the winter and 6 am in the summer. The last arati is 6.30 pm in

the winter and 7 pm in the summer. The temple is closed in the afternoon until 3.15 pm in

the winter and 3.45 pm in the summer.

HOTELS:

1. Nikunj River Resort : is locatedat Nathdwara (Rajasthan, India) having 14 Rooms just

behind Shreenathji Temple, 1.5 Km. from Bus Stand.Nikunj River Resort, fully surrounded by

lush green gardens, makes your stay memorable. Located just one km from the Shrinathji

Temple .

Nathdwara is a pilgrimage destination for Lord Krishna Devotees who visit the Shrinathji

Temple here all round the year.

Nathdwara is located 42 kms from Udaipur and about 300 kms from Ahmedabad.

2. Hotel Utsav : is located on the Udaipur-Ajmer Road at 2 kms from Nathdwara, a famous

Krishna Pilgrimage in Rajasthan.

Accessibility: :

Udaipur Airport : 37 KM

Shrinathji Temple : 1KM

Nathdwra Bus Stand : 1 KM

Location:

Hotel Utsav Nathdwara situated in the heart of the city's financial district and only blocks

away from well-known venues like the Hotel Utsav Nathdwara Con- vention Center, Staples

Center

Accommodation:

54 well appointed twin and double bed rooms, each equipped with T.V., direct dial

telephone, internet connectivity, channel music, mini bar, tea/coffee maker, electronic safe

and individual temperature controls, to ensure that the guest is comfortable.

Restaurants:

world-class culinary expert, whipping up exquisite meals in Hotel lobby restaurant to enjoy

at poolside, in your room or at your special event.

3. Hotel Vallabh Darshan : is a hotel at Nathdwara (Rajasthan, India) having AC and Non AC

Rooms.

Hotel also serves vegetarian meals.

Nathdwara is a pilgrimage destination for Lord Krishna Devotees who visit the Shrinathji

Temple here all round the year.

Nathdwara is located 42 kms from Udaipur and about 300 kms from Ahmedabad.

religious tourism

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