Bareilly Rivals Goa in Tourism Boom: Nath Corridor Transforms City's Identity

• Bareilly, traditionally known for jhumkas and Sufi culture, is rapidly emerging as a major religious tourism destination in Uttar Pradesh.
• The Nath Corridor project, costing approximately 230 crore rupees, connects 7 major Shiva temples, aiming to transform Bareilly into an organized pilgrimage circuit.
• In 2025, over one crore domestic tourists and more than a thousand foreign tourists visited Bareilly, a figure comparable to popular tourist spots like Goa.
• The surge in religious tourism has significantly boosted the local economy, leading to increased hotel bookings, taxi services, and improved infrastructure like Bareilly Airport.
• While the Nath Corridor focuses on religious tourism, critics argue that Bareilly's diverse cultural heritage, including its Sufi tradition, should also be adequately represented in tourism policies.

Why It Matters: Bareilly's Nath Corridor project is driving a massive tourism boom, transforming its identity and economy.