SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF TOURIST INFLOW: A STUDY OF SHARAVANI MELA IN BHAGALPUR DISTRICT, BIHAR.

Religious tourism plays a significant role in shaping seasonal visitor patterns across Indian districts known for their pilgrimage festivals. The Sharawani Mela, an annual religious event in Bhagalpur district, Bihar, attracts millions of devotees, especially Kanwariyas who undertake a sacred journey from Sultanganj to Deoghar. This study examines seasonal variations in tourist inflow associated with the Sharavani Mela using secondary data from 2010 to 2024. The tourist inflow during Mela and non-Mela periods was compared to determine the event’s impact on local tourism dynamics. The findings reveal a statistically significant increase in tourist arrivals during the Mela period, suggesting a strong influence of religious festivities on seasonal tourism in India. These results highlight the importance of the Sharavani Mela as a catalyst for tourism development in the region and underscore the need for improved infrastructure and planning to accommodate fluctuating tourist volumes. Keywords: Sharavani Mela, Religious Tourism, Tourist Inflow, Local Economy.