5 Temple Routes in South India for a Weekend of Spirituality, Food and Culture

Faithcation Is the New Weekend Travel Trend: 5 Temple Routes in South India to Explore

Weekend getaways are getting a spiritual makeover. Instead of heading to beaches or hill stations, many travellers are now choosing short pilgrimages that combine temple visits, local cuisine and cultural experiences—a trend increasingly being described as the “faithcation.”

Industry experts say spiritual travel is evolving beyond traditional annual pilgrimages and festival visits. Better road connectivity, flexible work schedules and a growing desire for meaningful travel are encouraging people to take shorter, more frequent temple trips throughout the year.

According to Sudhakar Chirra, Founder and CEO of Fresh Bus, these journeys are no longer confined to religious occasions.

“We’re seeing a significant shift in travel behaviour. More people are opting for short spiritual getaways across the year, making pilgrimage travel more frequent, spontaneous and weekend-friendly,” he said.

Here are five South Indian temple routes gaining popularity among travellers.

Bengaluru–Tirupati

This classic pilgrimage route begins with an early morning darshan at Tirumala Temple and can be paired with visits to Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple and the historic Chandragiri Fort.

What to eat: Tirupati Laddu, Pulihora (tamarind rice), Andhra-style vegetarian meals and freshly brewed filter coffee.

Hyderabad–Vijayawada

Perfect for a two-day escape, this route combines spirituality with riverside attractions. Besides the Kanaka Durga Temple, visitors can enjoy views from Prakasam Barrage and spend time at Bhavani Island.

Local favourites: Gongura Pachadi, Mirchi Bajji, Pesarattu and traditional Andhra meals.

Chennai–Tirupati

A popular weekend drive from Chennai, this route includes stops at Tiruttani Murugan Temple, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple and Chandragiri Fort before exploring Tirupati’s bustling markets.

Must-try dishes: Sweet Pongal, Tirupati Laddu, Tamil tiffin specials and Andhra vegetarian cuisine.

Hyderabad–Srisailam

One of the most scenic pilgrimage drives in southern India, this route offers a visit to the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple along with panoramic views of the Srisailam Dam, the Pathala Ganga ropeway and stretches through the Nallamala Tiger Reserve.

Food to savour: Temple prasadam, Andhra thalis and regional sweets.

Bengaluru–Tiruvannamalai

Known for its spiritual significance, Tiruvannamalai attracts devotees as well as seekers looking for a peaceful retreat. Highlights include the Arunachaleswarar Temple, the Girivalam path around Arunachala Hill and the Ramana Maharshi Ashram.

Don’t miss: Traditional Tamil vegetarian meals, filter coffee, temple prasadam and local snacks.

Why faithcations are on the rise

Fresh Bus analysed bookings made between April 2024 and May 2026 across its user base of more than six lakh passengers and found a sharp rise in spiritual travel. The company reported a 40% increase in first-time travellers on its Tirupati routes, with new customers growing from 58,079 in 2024 to 81,576 in 2025.

The data also showed more repeat visitors, suggesting temple trips are becoming a regular part of people’s travel calendars rather than annual rituals. Most bookings are concentrated between Friday and Sunday, highlighting the growing preference for weekend faithcations.