New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Tuesday that the Capital’s identity is not limited to historical monuments such as the Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb, and the government wants to attract tourists to its world-class spiritual and architectural sites such as Akshardham, temples, gurdwaras, churches, mosques, Buddhist and Jain religious sites.
Speaking at the ‘Spiritual and Heritage Tourism Conclave-2026’ organised at Akshardham Temple on the theme ‘Delhi: The Capital of Spirituality, Heritage and Experiences’, she said the event aims to present Delhi’s spiritual, cultural and historical heritage to people in India and across the world.
The city aspires to offer an integrated tourism experience and develop from a ‘Transit City’ into a ‘Destination City’, she said.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched four spiritual and heritage tourism circuits. Spiritual guru Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev was also present.
The four circuits bring together religious, spiritual, cultural and historical sites located across different parts of Delhi as a single travel experience. The government aims to encourage tourists to explore Delhi’s diverse heritage more closely, rather than simply visiting a few prominent monuments, and spend more time in the capital, she said.
The Chief Minister said Delhi’s greatest strength lies in its unity in diversity. People from almost every state of the country live in Delhi and keep their cultures, traditions and festivals alive here.
From Gujarat’s Garba and Maharashtra’s Ganesh Chaturthi to Assam’s Bihu, South India’s cultural traditions and festivals of North India, Delhi brings the culture of the entire country together. This is why Delhi is a living reflection of India’s cultural and spiritual ethos, she said.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the purpose of these circuits is not merely to connect different tourist spots, but to develop Delhi as a complete tourism experience.
Tourists should be able to experience the city’s spirituality, history, architecture, culture, cuisine, folk traditions and diverse faiths, she said.
The government wants tourists visiting Delhi to stay not just for a few hours or a day, but for longer and explore different parts of the capital, she said, adding that this will also create new opportunities for employment and economic activity for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, local guides, artists, artisans and small entrepreneurs.
–IANS
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