India is a land of spiritual diversity, with thousands of religious sites attracting millions of pilgrims every year. From iconic temples in Varanasi to remote shrines in the Himalayas, faith-driven journeys are an inseparable part of Indian culture. However, while spiritual facilities have expanded, basic sanitation infrastructure around these sites remains severely inadequate.
For many pilgrims — especially women, children, and the elderly — the absence of clean, accessible restrooms turns a sacred journey into a physically exhausting and often degrading experience. Lack of toilets leads to open defecation, poor hygiene, infections, and safety risks, undermining not just the dignity of individuals but the sanctity of the religious experience.
Recognizing this urgent and overlooked need, Aratrika Human Foundation has launched its third flagship initiative:
“Religious Travel Restrooms (धार्मिक यात्रा प्रशाधन घर)” — a nationwide mission to bring modern, safe, eco-friendly, and gender-sensitive restroom facilities to major pilgrimage routes and temple clusters across India.
Religious tourism in India is growing rapidly. With over 100 crore domestic tourist visits every year, a large portion is faith-driven. Yet at most religious destinations:
Despite being spiritual hubs, these places lack basic human infrastructure. A restroom is not a luxury — it’s a fundamental need. Providing safe sanitation at pilgrimage sites is a matter of dignity, health, and hospitality.
The Religious Travel Restrooms initiative goes beyond simply building toilets — it focuses on end-to-end development, sustainability, and respect for cultural sensitivities.
The program respects the spiritual and ecological sanctity of the sites. Where possible, restrooms use:
We also conduct awareness drives in collaboration with temple staff to promote hygiene and respect for shared spaces.
This initiative is more than infrastructure — it’s about preserving the soul of Indian spirituality through compassion and care.
We invite temple trusts, local governments, CSR partners, donors, and social entrepreneurs to be part of this transformative initiative.
You can:
Together, let’s ensure that every pilgrim — regardless of age, gender, or background — can worship with comfort, safety, and dignity.
