What is Gambhira Folk Drama

Tourism is a major engine of economic growth in the world. In ancient times, travelers travelled from one country to another country or one region to another region in order to spread religion or for gaining knowledge about religion. Travelers or tourists travelling for religion or spiritual purposes are called religious tourists or pilgrimage tourists and that's where religious tourism developed. Pilgrims or devotees are sometimes seen travelling over long distances in the hope of gaining virtue. All over the world there are many religious spots like Hajj in Mecca, Church in Jerusalem, and four Dhams of India, etc. Malda, one of the most underdeveloped districts of West Bengal, has religious tourism potential. There is a saying, ‘First is Medina and then is Adina'. Apart from this, Ramkeli Village, and many Buddhist temples and Bihara are located there. Devotees of both the Hindu and Muslim faiths perform Puja at Jahuratala temple. This chapter is an attempt to analyse the pilgrimage tourist potential as well as the status of the pilgrimage tourism of Malda district.