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HISTORY
Religion
Largest Religious Pilgrimages
This list features the largest religious pilgrimages in the world as of 2024.
RANK | RELIGION | COUNTRY | RELIGION | AVG. NUMBER OF PILGRIMS |
1 | Maha Kumbh Mela | India | Hinduism | 120 million |
2 | Arba’een Pilgrimage | Iraq | Islam | 20.0 million |
3 | Pope Francis’ Catholic Mass in 2015 | Philippines | Christianity | 7.0 million |
4 | Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe | Mexico | Catholicism | 6.1 million |
5 | Makara Jyothi in 2007 | India | Hinduism | 5.0 million |
6 | Bishwa Itjema | Bangladesh | Islam | 5.0 million |
7 | Nabakalebara in 2015 | India | Hinduism | 5.0 million |
8 | Attukal Temple | India | Hinduism | 3.0 million |
9 | Grand Magal of Touba | Senegal | Islam | 3.0 million |
10 | Black Nazarene | Philippines | Christianity | 2.6 million |
11 | Hajj | Saudi Arabia | Islam | 1.8 million |
References
Ria Money Transfer, 2023. Sacred Journeys: The World's Most Popular Pilgrimages. [online] Available at: https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/en/blog/sacred-journeys-worlds-most-popular-pilgrimages/ [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Al Arabiya, 2024. Hajj 2024 in Numbers: Annual Pilgrimage Draws Over 1.83 Million Worshipers. [online] Available at: https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2024/06/16/hajj-2024-in-numbers-annual-pilgrimage-draws-over-1-83-mln-worshipers [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Owlcation, 2023. 10 Largest Religious Gatherings in Human History. [online] Available at: https://owlcation.com/humanities/10-Largest-Religious-Gatherings-In-Human-History [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Church.mt, 2023. 6.1 Million Pilgrims Visit Guadalupe Shrine. [online] Available at: https://church.mt/6-1-million-pilgrims-visit-guadalupe-shrine/ [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Asianews Network, 2023. South Korean Buddhists in India for 1167km Pilgrimage for World Peace. [online] Available at: https://asianews.network/south-korean-buddhists-in-india-for-1167km-pilgrimage-for-world-peace/ [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
IAHS, 2001. Hydrology and Water Resources in Developing Countries. [online] Available at: http://hydrologie.org/redbooks/a286/iahs_286_0160.pdf [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Indian Embassy, 2001. Maha Kumbh Mela 2001. [online] Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20100403014350/http://www.indianembassy.org/new/maha_kumbh_mela_2001.htm [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Prakash, B., 2009. Pilgrimage in India: Dynamics and Perspectives. [online] Available at: https://books.google.ae/books?id=1pCXqynwwQcC&pg=PA17&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Zubair, M., 2017. Trends in Pilgrimage: Towards a Global Framework. ScienceDirect. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211973617301307 [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Aimi, 2023. Reflections on Arbaeen Pilgrimage: The Biggest Mourning Procession. [online] Available at: http://www.aimislam.com/reflections-arbaeen-pilgrimage-biggest-mourning-procession/ [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
NCR Online, 2015. Philippine Bishops Conference Launches Theme for Pope Francis’ 2015 Visit. [online] Available at: https://www.ncronline.org/news/world/philippine-bishops-conference-launches-theme-pope-francis-2015-visit [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
ABS-CBN News, 2015. Why Cell Signals Turned Off During Pope Visit. [online] Available at: http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/01/22/15/ji-plot-why-cell-signals-turned-off-during-pope-visit [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Facts on File, 2009. Encyclopedia of World Religions. [online] Available at: https://books.google.ae/books?id=OZbyz_Hr-eIC&lpg=PP1&dq=isbn:1438126964&pg=PA282&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Al Arabiya, 2014. $9 Billion Income from Hajj Expected. [online] Available at: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/business/economy/2014/08/26/-9-billion-income-from-hajj-expected.html [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
The Hindu, 2017. Sighting of Makarajyoti Brings Good Luck and Blessings. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/sighting-of-makarajyoti-brings-good-luck-and-blessings/article18392161.ece [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
The Hindu, 2008. Makarajyoti: A Divine Experience. [online] Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20080118110549/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011553760400.htm [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
The Telegraph, 2020. What is the Festival of Bishwa Ijtema and Where is it Held? [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/bangladesh/12088120/What-is-the-festival-of-Bishwa-Ijtema-and-where-is-it-held.html [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Guinness World Records, 2008. World Record for Largest Religious Gathering. [online] Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20090208152651/http://guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2008/03/080304.aspx [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Prakash, B., 2010. Pilgrimage: An Indian Perspective. [online] Available at: https://books.google.ae/books?id=lD_2J7W_2hQC&pg=PA118&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Philippine Journal of Science, 2023. Pilgrimages in the Philippines. [online] Available at: https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=3177 [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Shreekhetra, 2023. Navakalevara: The Sacred Journey. [online] Available at: http://www.shreekhetra.com/navakalevara.html [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
FJP2, 2023. Master of Papal Ceremonies on JPII Beatification. [online] Available at: https://www.fjp2.com/news/vatican/9840-master-of-papal-ceremonies-on-jpii-beatification?lang=en [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
Vicariatus Urbis, 2009. Pope John Paul II Beatification Information. [online] Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20091230032224/http://www.vicariatusurbis.org/beatificazione/English/HomePage.htm [Accessed: 1 December 2025].
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