Rajasthan recorded 61.99 million tourist visits during the first quarter of 2026, reaffirming its position as one of India’s leading tourism destinations. According to data released by the Department of Tourism, the state welcomed 61.29 million domestic visitors and 698,458 international tourists between January and March 2026. The figures highlight the continued strength of domestic religious tourism and sustained international interest in Rajasthan’s heritage, culture and wildlife attractions.
Domestic and International Tourists Show Distinct Preferences
Daleep Singh Rathore, Joint Director at the Department of Tourism, said domestic and international visitors continued to demonstrate different travel preferences during the quarter. While pilgrimage destinations remained the primary choice for domestic travellers, international tourists were largely attracted to Rajasthan’s historic forts, grand palaces, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, cultural attractions and wildlife destinations. The diverse tourism offerings have helped Rajasthan attract visitors from different markets and strengthen its position as a destination capable of catering to religious, cultural, heritage, adventure and wildlife tourism.
Religious Tourism Leads Domestic Visitor Arrivals
Religious tourism continued to dominate domestic travel during the first quarter of 2026. Khatu Shyam Ji Temple in Sikar emerged as the most visited destination in the state, attracting nearly 6.8 million pilgrims during the quarter. It was followed by Kaila Devi Temple in Karauli, which recorded 4.74 million visitors, while Sanwaliya Ji Temple in Chittorgarh welcomed approximately 2.87 million visitors. The holy town of Pushkar also remained among the leading destinations for domestic tourists, reflecting the continued importance of religious and spiritual travel in Rajasthan’s tourism economy.
Jaisalmer Emerges as a Major Domestic Tourism Hub
Jaisalmer featured prominently among the state’s most popular domestic tourism destinations, accounting for five of Rajasthan’s top ten domestic attractions. The attractions included Jaisalmer Fort, Ramdevra, Sam Sand Dunes, Patwon Ki Haveli and Tanot Mata Temple.
The strong performance of these destinations highlights Jaisalmer’s ability to attract visitors through a combination of heritage, desert tourism and religious experiences. Ajmer Sharif Dargah also ranked among the most visited destinations, further underlining the significance of religious tourism in Rajasthan.
Amer Palace Tops International Tourist Attractions
Among international visitors, Amer Palace in Jaipur emerged as the most visited attraction during the quarter, recording 91,422 tourist visits. Other leading attractions included Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, City Palace and Saheliyon Ki Bari in Udaipur. Rajasthan’s historic architecture, royal heritage and cultural experiences continue to be major attractions for overseas visitors seeking to explore the state’s rich history.
Wildlife Tourism Continues to Attract Overseas Visitors
Wildlife tourism also remained an important component of Rajasthan’s international tourism appeal. Ranthambore National Park continued to rank among the state’s key wildlife destinations for overseas travellers, attracting visitors interested in safari experiences and Rajasthan’s diverse natural environment. Other popular attractions among international tourists included Jagdish Temple in Udaipur, Chand Baori in Abhaneri, Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur and Ranakpur Jain Temple.
Diverse Tourism Portfolio Strengthens Rajasthan’s Position
Commenting on the tourism performance, Rathore said the latest figures demonstrated Rajasthan’s evolution into a diversified tourism destination. According to him, the state offers a broad range of experiences, including religious tourism, heritage tourism, wildlife tourism, desert adventures and cultural attractions. This diverse tourism portfolio continues to support the state’s economy while strengthening Rajasthan’s position in both the domestic and international tourism markets.
Tourism Growth Supports Economic Development
The strong tourist arrivals recorded during the first quarter reflect the continued importance of tourism to Rajasthan’s economy. The combination of major pilgrimage centres, historic forts and palaces, desert landscapes, wildlife reserves and cultural attractions enables the state to attract visitors with different interests and travel preferences.
With domestic religious tourism continuing to generate massive visitor numbers and international travellers maintaining strong interest in Rajasthan’s heritage and wildlife experiences, the state is further consolidating its position as one of India’s most diverse and prominent tourism destinations.
