Luxury Pilgrims

Religious pilgrimage has never been so popular in India. In 2010, more than 650m Hindu and Sikh worshippers set off to pilgrimage sites across the sub-continent, a rise of 15.5% on the previous year, according to Indian central government figures.But the aspirations of new-found Indian affluence have influenced even the religious believers. These pilgrims are no longer content to sleep in a crowded bunkhouse or on the floor of a local community centre, says the Economic Times. They have disposable income and are prepared to pay for a luxury hotel room, fine dining or a post-temple spa afternoon.

By Hannah Robinson