Forget Jaipur or Jodhpur, Khatu Shyamji makes Sikar the top tourist destination in Rajasthan

Sikar has emerged as Rajasthan's most visited tourism district in the first half of 2026, recording 1.56 crore tourist visits between January and June. The district's rise has been driven largely by the popularity of Khatu Shyamji, helping it overtake established tourism destinations such as Chittorgarh, Jaisalmer and Ajmer, a TOI report stated.

District-wise tourism data showed that Chittorgarh recorded 1.34 crore visits during the same period, while Jaisalmer registered 1.19 crore. Ajmer received nearly one crore visitors. Sikar's tourist footfall was also higher than the 1.45 crore visits recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, marking an increase of about 7.5%.

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Khatu Shyamji puts Sikar on Rajasthan's tourism map

The growing popularity of Khatu Shyamji is central to Sikar's tourism numbers. The Rajasthan Economic Review 2025-26 recorded 2.58 crore domestic tourist visits to the temple in 2025, compared with 2.36 crore in 2024. Khatu Shyamji was the most visited religious tourism site in Rajasthan in 2025, according to the review.

The temple is also becoming part of a larger pilgrimage circuit covering several religious destinations in the Shekhawati region. “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 also said Salasar Balaji in neighbouring Churu and pilgrimage centres around Parbat Sar were adding to the circuit.

Rs 83.49 crore project planned around Khatu Shyamji

The rise in pilgrim numbers has prompted the government to invest 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 and light-and-sound show.

The project also includes a waiting hall, parking facilities and a food court. The tourism department has proposed additional development work for Khatu town. The plan includes a ring road, sewerage system and underground electricity lines.

Hotels and local businesses see higher demand

The increase in visitors is also supporting businesses linked to religious tourism. Hotels, dharamshalas, restaurants, sweet shops, religious-item stores and transport operators are expanding services to cater to the growing number of pilgrims. The impact is not limited to Sikar. Jaipur's hotel industry is also seeing demand from visitors travelling to Khatu Shyamji.

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Hotel industry sources estimate that Khatu-bound pilgrims account for around 30-35% of occupancy at some Jaipur hotels. Demand for rooms, food, transport, prasad, flowers and souvenirs rises particularly on Sundays, auspicious lunar dates and during the annual Phalgun festival.

For Rajasthan's tourism map, the numbers mark a shift in visitor traffic, with a religious destination in Sikar drawing more visits than several of the state's better-known tourism centres during the first half of 2026.