India, the land of varied ancient mythology, traditions, rituals and beliefs where people from different parts of the world have come together to call it their home. It is known that every step of the way in india you will be greeted with a new set of spiritual beliefs which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The closely – knit bond between all the religions in India has managed to create a wonderful ambience of peace and oneness. This spiritual aura can be easily experienced in places like:
Top 8 Spiritual Destinations To Visit In India
1. Varanasi
This place has to undoubtedly be kept on the top of the list. Famous for being one of the oldest living cities in the world and adorned gracefully with ancient temples and ghats on the banks of the holy river of Ganga, Varanasi has withstood the test of time to be an iconic spiritual destination. From the moment you enter the city you will be mesmerised with the continuous ringing of the bell, rhythmic chanting of the hymns and aarti processions. The presence of ashrams offering meditation and yoga services also works in the favour of providing a deep feeling of immense devotion. Don’t miss out on the soul stirring ganga aarti and exploring places like Kashi Vishwanath temple, Tulsimanas temple, Dasashwamedhghat, Durga temple etc.
2. Rudra Prayag
The holy town of Rudraprayag is situated on the holy confluence point of the rivers Mandakini from Kedarnath and Alaknanda from Badrinath which is flanked on both sides by tall jagged mountains. This fact also makes it one of the most crucial point for the panch prayag yatra circuit along with Devprayag, Karnaprayag, Vishnuprayag and Nandprayag. Apart from this the district is also home to the holy Char Dham Yatra temple of Kedarnath which is visited by devotees from all over the world as a part of their Sacred Char Dham Yatra circuit including the temples of Badrinath (Chamoli); Gangotri and Yamunotri (Uttarkashi). This ancient lord Shiva jyotirlinga temple which is accessible after covering a trekking journey of 16 kms from Gaurikund, is a hotspot for spiritualism.
3. Tirupati
The holy city of Tirupati is situated within the district of Chittoor and is also known as the spiritual capital of Andhra Pradesh. Due to the presence of the majestic temple of Tirumala Venkateshwara this place is ranked among one of the most spiritual destinations of India and a must visit for religious people and spiritual seekers. The significance of this place lies in the fact that this was the place where lord ram with Sita Mata and Lakshman had resided here during their return from lankapuri after defeating the evil king Raavan and rescuing Sita Maa. The temple is a grand representation of a typical south Indian architecture complete with intricate carvings, towering gopurams and an essence of positivity that encapsulates the senses of every visitor.
4. Dwarka
The ancient city of Devbhoomi Dwarka is located in the state of Gujarat and is famed for its spiritual and mythological importance. Having being identified as the bygone kingdom of lord Krishna this place has always been the centre of attraction for spiritual seekers. According to ancient holy Hindu books Dwarka has been referred as the 1st capital of Gujarat along with having being mentioned as a Mokshapuri. The entire region is replete with temples dedicated to Krishna and marking important spots relevant to his life and times. Gomati river that forms the border of this holy town is also a significant place of pilgrimage which is also dotted with a number of places of worship like Dwarkadhish Temple, Rukmini devi temple, Gomati ghat and so much more that you will feel spirituality is unmissable here.
5. Rishikesh
We all know Rishikesh as the holy twin town of Haridwar which marks the descent of the holy river ganga from the mountains to the plains. The towns are famed for their peaceful culture, ganga aartis which takes place in the evening with a contagious vibe of spirituality which makes it the spiritual capital of the world. People from across the globe make their way to this hill town which is also a gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas and the sacred char dham Yatra. Rishikesh is home to some of the most well-known ashrams along with being the abode for mystics and spiritual gurus, saints and philosophers. Temples like Raghunath temple, trimbakeshwar temple, Lakshman temple etc make up for one of the most spiritual cluster of temples in India.
6. Amritsar
The heritage city of Amritsar is one of the most colourful and culturally authentic destinations where you can get to experience the untouched magic of spirituality. The 4thsikh guru, Guru Ram Das is credited with the creation of this sacred heritage city which is laced in an incredible amount of spirituality. The place has always been a hub for devout Sikhs but in the recent times it has managed to attract a huge number of tourists from different backgrounds from all over the world to experience the divinity of this place. Exploring the places of worship here includes visit to golden temple, gurudwara Harmandir sahib, Bhagwaan Valmiki Tirth sthal etc. making it one of the most sought-after places for pilgrimages ever since the ancient ages.
7. Bodh Gaya
This is probably one of the most sacred and spiritual holy site for Buddhists on a pilgrimage which is situated in the state of Bihar. This place houses the holy site where lord Buddha had attained his enlightenment after meditating under the bodhi tree. You will be witnessing a large number of crowd going on Buddhist circuit pilgrimage and Buddhist monks meditating. You can speak to some and talk to them about life, love and existence which will be a very enlightening and spiritual thing to do. Visiting the places of interest here will include going to the Mahabodhi tree complex, Ratnachakrama, the great Buddha statue, Japanese temple etc. this will definitely be a trip to remember.
8. Sarnath
This is probably one of the holiest cities of India and is located at a distance of 13 kms from the holy city of Varanasi. flocked all year long by Buddhist devotees and followers from across the borders, the deer park of Sarnath is especially a defining feature since it is here where the Buddha Sangha had came into existence. the deep sense of spirituality here is owed to the fact that it is 1 out of the 4 crucial Buddhist pilgrimage pillars. apart from this people of Jain community also go on pilgrimages to Sarnath. some places where you can go meditate and concentrate a bit more on the teachings of Buddha then you can visit places like Chaukhandu Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Ashoka Pilalr, deer park, dharma Chakra Jina Vihar and so much more. the best way to explore this place would be to come here during your Varanasi trip for a day sightseeing tour. this will definitely be one of the deeply rejuvenating experiences for your mind, body and soul.
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