The New Pilgrims: Gen Z’s Fresh Take On Spiritual Travel

Two years ago, sitting inside the sacred sanctum of the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, something shifted in me. That trip, originally meant to chase a story, prompted me to pause and confront my own rigid worldview. In that moment of quietude, I found a rare stillness, something lasting that has supported me in the years since, even though I hadn’t been consciously seeking it. Becoming open to spiritual experiences has since made me more attuned to places, people, and instances I once dismissed without a second thought.History and personal experience bear witness to the fact that women have often been more spiritually inclined than men. Even though the entire meaning of being spiritual has undergone a paradigm shift in recent years, women continue to lead this evolving movement. Travel data from IntrCity SmartBus, which analysed booking trends and travel patterns of solo women travellers in 2024, revealed that Gen Z (aged 18-25) accounted for 40.7 per cent of solo female travellers. There was also a marked increase in spiritual journeys to destinations like Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Amritsar among this group."As per PeekABoo, Cleartrip's travel trends tracker, we're seeing younger travellers—especially Gen Z—reshape the narrative around spiritual getaways," explains Manjari Singhal, Chief Growth and Business Officer at Cleartrip. "Bookings to destinations like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun have grown by 60 per cent YoY, with Gen Z now making up 12 per cent of these trips—a 15 per cent YoY increase. These towns, known for yoga ashrams, Ganga aarti, and holistic wellness, are emerging as modern sanctuaries for mental clarity, detox, and identity exploration."Interestingly, while spiritual destinations are seeing rising interest, Goa remains the top leisure spot for solo female travellers, according to IntrCity SmartBus. This curious finding calls back to Goa’s legacy as a haven for the hippie subculture of the 1960s and 70s, rooted in peace, artistic expression, and inner awakening, the very elements Gen Z is now redefining as core to its own spiritual pursuits.While traditional spiritual centres are certainly gaining traction, Gen Z isn't necessarily looking to define spirituality in conventional terms. It's about consciously seeking peace on its own terms.The Gen Z Take"I think our generation approaches spirituality a little differently. For us, it’s more personal and adaptable. It’s less about rigid routines and more about what makes us feel grounded and at peace," says influencer and actor Agasthya Shah. He reflects on the generational shift in belief systems, noting that, unlike parents or grandparents, Gen Z tends to lean inwards and explore new paths to emotional grounding. "And I think that’s okay," he adds. "What matters is that it comes from a genuine place."Digital Burnout, Spiritual Awakening"Let's go to a yoga retreat for my bachelorette!" a friend had announced recently, practically glowing with excitement. A few years ago, I would've baulked at the idea of having a bachelorette party anywhere that didn't have multiple bars. A yoga retreat? Unthinkable. But now, I find myself yearning for exactly that, a few uninterrupted days of stillness and clarity.In the days of our parents, sitting in a temple for hours, singing and chanting with the incense-laced air was a way to quiet down the voices in their heads. Then came the millennials, whose faith began to waver under the viscosity of the internet age. Somewhere between online excess and outward validation, we’ve circled back to seeking a presence that anchors us."We're constantly online, reacting to everything, processing so much noise. At some point, the soul starts craving silence," says Mithi Singh, digital creator and avid traveller. "I think spiritual retreats or even just short escapes to peaceful places give us a break from all that. They let us breathe without the pressure of being on."Meanwhile, Shah adds that such trips often leave you feeling renewed. “They create space for stillness. Spiritual travel is about simply being. It’s restorative.”Driven by this inner focus, spiritual and wellness retreats across India have been gaining momentum. "In Kerala, there’s sustained demand for Ayurveda-based therapies and tranquil backwater escapes. Coimbatore’s Isha Yoga Centre is drawing travellers for immersive yoga and meditation programmes. Across the board, we’ve observed a 14 per cent rise in last-minute bookings and a 10 per cent increase in early planning—highlighting Gen Z’s balance of spontaneity and intention in how they travel," says Cleartrip's Singhal.Where is the Peace for Gen Z?Shriya Roy, a corporate professional living in Scotland, remembers her first brush with spiritual travel in 2018. It was in Tosh, a remote village above Kasol in Himachal Pradesh. “I was mentally drained. Urban life, heartbreaks, bills. It all felt overwhelming.” Her experience in Tosh was shaped by the quiet strength of its locals, their simple temples, and their unwavering faith. “You think, ‘That’s a hard life,’ but their faith carries them. It inspired me deeply.”For Singh, a cancelled trek turned out to be serendipitous. Her plans to hike to Chopta and Tungnath fell through, and she decided instead on a relaxed getaway to Jibhi. On the fourth day, just before she was to return to Delhi, her friend and a local suggested a detour to Sajwar, a lesser-known village.“I hesitated; I had a night bus to catch. But they insisted, and I’m so glad they did.” Beyond Sajwar, the road gives way to forest trails that lead to Serolsar Lake. Surrounded by the untouched beauty of Chiara Peak and Lambri Top, the area revealed a hidden Shiva temple on a hill. “Even our local guide hadn’t seen it before,” Singh recalls. “From that moment on, I made a promise. If Shiva can come uninvited into my journey, the least I can do is seek Him in return.” Since then, she has visited Kashi Vishwanath and "Gufa Wala Mandir" in Chail, lovingly built by one man since 1980 after Lord Shiva came to him in a dream. But Sajwar remains her defining spiritual moment.For Shah, travelling to sacred sites with family adds a profound layer to the experience. “It’s comforting to visit those places with people who have their own deep spiritual connections.” But it was his solo visit to Prini, a quiet village near Manali, that left a lasting impression. “The instant I arrived, I felt this calm wash over me. No noise, no urgency, just fresh air and space to breathe.”What is Spirituality, Really?My father once told me that spirituality lies somewhere between discipline and doing something for yourself. When I asked why he avoided meat on Tuesdays, he simply said: “More than for God, it’s about seeing something through. It makes you feel good about yourself.” Perhaps that’s what peace is, living in alignment with your own truth.Singh says her perspective changed entirely after Sajwar. “I respected spirituality before, but I hadn’t experienced it. Now I feel it in the way I travel, the silence I sit with, and the places I seek.” Shah’s reflection is similarly rooted in clarity and presence. “For me, spirituality is a personal connection that evolves with time and intention.”As I listened to these stories, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own. I’ve always found myself at the doorstep of a spiritual experience without ever consciously seeking entrance. And maybe that’s what made those moments so powerful. Because once you truly surrender, that’s when you begin to receive.A Call To Faith At Ujjain's Majestic Mahakaleshwar Corridor