Jaipur: Sikar emerged as Rajasthan’s biggest tourism draw in the first half of 2026, with 1.56 crore tourist visits between Jan and June, driven largely by the popularity of Khatu Shyamji. The district overtook traditional tourism hotspots such as Chittorgarh, Jaisalmer and Ajmer in tourist footfall.According to district-wise tourism data, Chittorgarh recorded 1.34 crore visits during the period, followed by Jaisalmer at 1.19 crore and Ajmer at nearly one crore. Sikar’s footfall was about 7.5% higher than the 1.45 crore visits recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.Rajasthan Economic Review 2025-26 recorded 2.58 crore domestic tourist visits to Khatu Shyamji in 2025, up from 2.36 crore in 2024, making it the state’s most visited religious tourism site.“The temple is increasingly becoming the anchor for a wider pilgrimage circuit covering Jeen Mata, Shakambhari Mata and other religious destinations in the Shekhawati region,” said Hotel Federation of Rajasthan secretary Ranvijay Singh. He said Salasar Balaji in neighbouring Churu and pilgrimage centres around Parbat Sar were also adding to the circuit.With pilgrimage traffic rising, the govt is investing in infrastructure around Khatu Shyamji. A Rs 83.49-crore project under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 includes an interpretation centre, digital museum, katha pandal, open-air theatre, light-and-sound show, waiting hall, parking and food court.The tourism department has also proposed a wider development plan for Khatu town, including a ring road, sewerage system and underground electricity lines.The growing footfall is fuelling a local pilgrimage economy, with hotels, dharamshalas, restaurants, sweet shops, religious-item stores and transport services expanding to meet demand.Hotel industry sources said the spillover was also benefiting Jaipur, with Khatu-bound pilgrims estimated to account for 30-35% of occupancy at some hotels. Demand for rooms, food, transport, prasad, flowers and souvenirs has risen sharply, particularly on Sundays, auspicious lunar dates and during the annual Phalgun festival.
