UP Budget 2026-27: Yogi Government Gives Tourism and Culture a Major Boost, Focus on Pilgrimage and Heritage Sites

Lucknow | February 11,2026 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, presented the state’s Budget for the financial year 2026-27 on Wednesday. With a total outlay of Rs 9.13 lakh crore, reflecting a 12.2 percent increase over last year, the Budget emphasizes infrastructure, welfare, and growth sectors, while giving special focus to tourism and culture to strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s identity as the spiritual and cultural heart of India. The Budget highlights the growing appeal of the state as a tourism destination. Finance Minister Suresh Khanna noted that from January to June 2025, nearly 122 crore tourists visited Uttar Pradesh, including over 121 crore domestic travelers and more than 33 lakh international visitors. “This rise reflects increasing interest in faith tourism, family travel, and heritage visits across the state,” the Minister said. To accelerate development of tourist destinations, Rs 500 crore has been proposed under the Chief Minister Tourism Development Scheme. Ayodhya will receive Rs 150 crore for infrastructure upgrades through the Uttar Pradesh Shri Ayodhya Tirth Vikas Parishad. Similarly, Rs 100 crore each has been allocated for Naimisharanya, Mathura, Vindhyavasini Devi Dham, and Varanasi to improve connectivity, amenities, and visitor experiences across these major pilgrimage and cultural hubs. On the cultural front, the government has continued to focus on heritage preservation and honoring national icons. The Tharu Janjati Sanskriti Sangrahalaya in Balrampur, the Lal Bahadur Shastri Museum in Varanasi, and the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cultural Complex in Bateshwar have been completed and inaugurated. Construction is underway for the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial in Lucknow, while the Nishadraj Guha Cultural Centre in Prayagraj has also been established. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh highlighted recent tourist trends, noting significant increases in visitor numbers: Varanasi grew from nearly 11.01 crore to over 17.30 crore, Ayodhya from 16.44 crore to 29.95 crore, Mathura from 9.01 crore to 10.24 crore, and Prayagraj welcomed over 66 crore devotees during the Mahakumbh 2025. The ongoing Magh Mela has already seen more than 21 crore visitors, reflecting continued faith tourism growth.He also added that budget focus on Ayodhya, Naimisharanya, Varanasi, Vindhyachal, Mathura, and Prayagraj will improve tourist facilities, extend average stays, and boost local economies and employment across the state. : UP Budget 2026-27: Yogi Government Boosts Tourism and Culture Across the State Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, through Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, presented the state’s Budget for 2026-27 with a total outlay of Rs 9.13 lakh crore, up 12.2 percent from last year. The Budget focuses on infrastructure, welfare, and economic growth, giving special attention to tourism and culture to strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s identity as the spiritual and cultural heart of India. The Finance Minister highlighted that between January and June 2025, nearly 122 crore tourists visited the state, including over 33 lakh international visitors. “This growth shows rising interest in faith tourism, family trips, and heritage visits,” he said. Key cities like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Prayagraj, Vindhyachal, and Naimisharanya are set to benefit from improved facilities and infrastructure. The Budget allocates Rs 500 crore under the Chief Minister Tourism Development Scheme for state-wide tourist projects. Ayodhya will get Rs 150 crore for infrastructure upgrades, while Rs 100 crore each is proposed for Naimisharanya, Mathura, Vindhyavasini Devi Dham, and Varanasi. These funds aim to enhance connectivity, modernize amenities, and provide a better experience for pilgrims, families, and international tourists. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said, “The Budget’s focus on Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura, and Prayagraj will improve tourist facilities, extend stays from two to three days to nearly a week, and boost local economies and employment.” Recent numbers show visitor growth: Varanasi from 11.01 crore to 17.30 crore, Ayodhya from 16.44 crore to 29.95 crore, and Prayagraj welcomed over 66 crore devotees during Mahakumbh 2025,the ongoing Magh Mela has already seen more than 21 crore visitors, reflecting strong faith and cultural engagement.