‘Tier-II temple cities like Ujjain offer higher returns than metros’:Vrindavan becoming favourite of senior citizens to spend their post-retirement life

Investing money in Tier-II temple cities like Ujjain and Ayodhya may give buyers better long-term returns than crowded metro markets. Better roads, new airports, and spiritual tourism are driving fast real estate growth in these historic locations. Proven price growth in temple cities Nikhil Madan, Managing Director of Mahima Group, highlights that heritage and temple cities offer higher growth potential than mature metro cities because these are less saturated. Ujjain: Average plot prices along the Ujjain–Indore Road corridor jumped around 9% year-on-year in 2025. Jaipur: The city’s housing price index reached 142 compared to its base level of 100 in 2017-18, showing steady price increases. Rising New Projects: According to Madan, the UP RERA data shows that developers registered 23 new real estate projects in Mathura, 9 in Varanasi, 7 in Prayagraj, and 5 in Ayodhya in 2025. High demand and rental income Ankit Aggarwal, Managing Director of Devika Group, notes that investments by celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Ranbir Kapoor prove Ayodhya’s rising power as a real estate hub. Massive spending on the Ram Mandir, international airports, railways, and highways makes properties near the Ayodhya Ring Road and Lucknow-Ayodhya Highway top choices for high returns. Where to buy plots in Ayodhya? Ayodhya is a holy city in India. Despite being marred by the recent Ram Mandir controversy, the city continues to be a great business place. Many people want to buy land there because the city is growing very fast. Aggarwal states that regular buyers need to follow basic rules before investing in land or a plot at this holy place. Best places to buy land in Ayodhya If you want to buy land in Ayodhya, then Aggarwal has suggested following areas: According to the expert, land in the absolute best locations is now very expensive. However, land in areas that are still developing is still cheap and easy to buy. Vrindavan is an asset of a lifetime: Devika Group According to Aggarwal, beyond Ayodhya, Vrindavan stands out as an exceptionally safe and profitable market. While metro markets depend heavily on standard economic cycles, Vrindavan attracts visitors, pilgrims, and retirees all year long. This creates continuous rental demand for second homes, wellness retreats, and retirement housing among NRIs, senior citizens, and high-net-worth investors. Furthermore, a shortage of good land near major temples keeps pushing property values up. Smart checklist for investors To get the best returns in these growing cities, both experts advise investors to keep key basics in mind: Legal Checks: Confirm clear land titles and official government approvals before buying. Location: Pick properties close to active growth corridors, highways, and airport roads. Real Demand: Look for developments built for genuine end-users and long-term tourism rather than quick market speculation.