KPMG in India in collaboration with PHDCCI released a report today at the 2nd Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave offering a comprehensive roadmap to transform crowd management across India’s religious destinations. Titled “Faith and Flow: Navigating Crowds in India’s Sacred Spaces”, it highlights the urgent need for structured, tech-enabled, and culturally sensitive approaches to ensure safety, accessibility, and spiritual fulfillment for millions of pilgrims.
India’s sacred spaces are not just places of worship—they are dynamic cultural ecosystems that host some of the world’s largest gatherings. With spiritual tourism witnessing exponential growth, the report underscores the importance of reimagining how we manage pilgrim flows. It calls for a shift from reactive crowd control to proactive, data-driven planning that respects tradition while embracing innovation.
Key Recommendations from the Report:
- Digital Ticketing & Time-Slotting: Implement online booking systems with dynamic scheduling to reduce congestion and improve visitor experience.
- AI & IoT Integration: Use AI-powered CCTV, crowd sensors, and predictive analytics for real-time monitoring and proactive crowd control.
- Mobile Apps & RFID: Enable pilgrims to access live updates, route guidance, and RFID-enabled entry systems for seamless movement.
- Inclusive Infrastructure: Design gender-sensitive, accessible pathways and waiting zones for elderly and differently abled devotees.
- Centralised Command Centres: Establish multi-agency control rooms with GIS mapping and digital dashboards for coordinated response.
- Policy & Funding Support: Leverage temple board surpluses, CSR, and PPP models to fund infrastructure upgrades and safety systems.
- National Framework & SOPs: Develop standardised protocols and data-sharing platforms for consistent crowd management across sites.
- Employment Generation: Promote skilling and job creation in surveillance, mobility, tech support, and visitor services.
Vivek Agarwal, Partner and Head – Industrial & Infrastructure Development Advisory (IIDA), KPMG in India says, “India’s sacred spaces are living heritage—dynamic centers of faith, tradition, and community. As pilgrim numbers grow and spiritual tourism evolves, the need for smart, inclusive, and collaborative crowd management becomes paramount. By integrating technology, policy, and human-centered design, we can ensure these destinations remain safe, accessible, and spiritually enriching for generations to come.”
Aalap Bansal, Partner, Industrial & Infrastructure Development Advisory (IIDA), KPMG in India says, “India’s spiritual destinations are at a crossroads—where heritage meets modernity. Our goal is to empower temple boards and civic agencies with tools that are not just smart, but sensitive to the nuances of faith. With the right mix of data, design, and dialogue, we can build a future where devotion and safety walk hand in hand.”
As India’s spiritual tourism landscape evolves, the imperative is clear: crowd management must move beyond reactive measures to become a cornerstone of pilgrimage planning. This report is not just a blueprint—it’s a call for collective action. By aligning tradition with innovation, stakeholders can co-create sacred spaces that are not only safe and accessible but also deeply enriching for every pilgrim.
PC: Photo by Aejaz Memon on Unsplash
