Assessment of tourist carrying capacity of religious places: a case of Varanasi city

Abstract

Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is one of the most sacred and historically significant cities in India, attracting millions of tourists and pilgrims annually due to its spiritual and cultural heritage. As a major religious destination, the city hosts several large-scale festivals such as Dev Deepawali, Mahashivratri, and Ganga Mahotsav, during which the daily visitor inflow far exceeds the city’s physical and infrastructural limits. While this tourism boom has created economic opportunities and revitalized interest in local traditions, it has also intensified challenges related to urban congestion, resource exhaustion, and the degradation of both heritage sites and quality of life for local citizens. The city’s dense fabric, narrow streets, and concentrated activity around key religious nodes make it especially vulnerable to the negative impacts of unregulated tourism. This thesis aims to evaluate the tourist carrying capacity of Varanasi by comparing the actual tourist flow data with the city’s physical and infrastructural capacity. It considers key parameters such as road width, public transport availability, ghat and temple space, sanitation facilities, and accommodation limits. Primary data was collected through surveys and interviews with residents, tourists, municipal officials, business owners, and other stakeholders, while secondary data was drawn from tourism statistics, government reports, and previous academic research. The study adopts a multi-dimensional approach, incorporating physical, social, environmental, and perceptual carrying capacities to create a comprehensive understanding of the pressures on the city. The results show a growing imbalance between demand and capacity, particularly during high-tourism periods, leading to overcrowding, traffic jams, overburdened sanitation systems, pollution of the Ganges, and a decline in tourist experience and local satisfaction. Residents reported feelings of discomfort, reduced access to essential services, and a shift in their attitude toward tourism due to disruptions in their daily lives. Tourists, on the other hand, faced challenges such as long waiting times, poor crowd control, and lack of basic amenities. Stakeholders emphasized the urgent need for integrated planning to manage the growing tourist footfall without harming the city’s heritage and cultural fabric. In response, the study proposes a range of infrastructure-based solutions aimed at improving Varanasi’s ability to sustainably manage its tourist inflow. These include the development of decentralized visitor facilities, improved last-mile connectivity, pedestrian-friendly corridors, better signage and crowd management technologies, and expanded public amenities like toilets, waste bins, and shaded resting areas. Furthermore, the thesis advocates for a data-driven tourism management framework, periodic monitoring of carrying capacity limits, and enhanced coordination between government bodies and local communities. By aligning infrastructure development with sustainable tourism goals, the study provides a roadmap to preserve the essence of Varanasi while accommodating its vital role as a religious and cultural tourism hub. Keywords: Tourist Carrying Capacity, Religious Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, Congestion and Citizen Wellbeing.