Lucknow/Ayodhya: Ayodhya received around 15 lakh visitors between Nov 1 and 7 this year, according to official data released by the state govt on Tuesday.The figure is nearly double the footfall recorded during the corresponding period last year.The surge in tourist arrivals during the Deepotsav week also translated into a sharp rise in business for local homestays, with several reporting full occupancy and extended bookings.Visits to the Ram Lalla temple also doubled during the seven-day period, rising from over five lakh in 2025 to around 10 lakh this year, according to tourism department figures.The increased footfall brought guests from across the country and abroad to local homestays, creating business and employment opportunities for local families.Several properties reported occupancy levels of 80% to 100%, while some owners said they had to turn away visitors due to a shortage of rooms.Poonam Sonkar, who runs Poonam Homestay, reported nearly 80% occupancy, with several guests extending their stays. The growth has also helped her family retain its younger generation in the business. Her son turned down a job offer in a major city in Rajasthan to join the family enterprise, which now provides employment to two people.“Today, our business is growing, and my son is earning through the work we have built here. He no longer needs to move to a big city in search of employment,” Sonkar said.Vasudev Maurya of Shri Ramdoot Niwas Homestay reported a 120-130% increase in business compared with normal days, with all rooms occupied. Guests, particularly from Maharashtra, stayed longer and opted for home-cooked meals. Rooms were available for Rs 1,000-1,200 a day, making homestays an affordable alternative to hotels, he said.At Kusum Homestay, Avinash Kusum said rooms remained occupied throughout the festive period, with visitors appreciating home-cooked meals and the family atmosphere.Praveen Mishra of Shri Shivay Homestay also reported 100% occupancy and said he had to turn away tourists when rooms ran out.Raj Kumari Tiwari, who runs The Rama Junction (B&B), said the property was fully occupied during Deepotsav, hosting visitors from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The business has become an important source of family income after her husband’s retirement from the Army.Tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh said, “The growing response to Ayodhya’s homestays reflects how tourism is creating new income and employment opportunities for local families.”Additional chief secretary and director general (tourism) Amrit Abhijat said homestays were becoming an important part of Ayodhya’s tourism ecosystem, offering visitors a more personal experience while generating livelihood opportunities for local households.
