India attracts tourists from all over the world, many of whom are on a quest for spiritual enlightenment. If you or your family are spiritually inclined and would like to visit the top pilgrimage destinations in India, this may be the best time to do so. Aligning with your spiritual core at these destinations could be a great way to begin the new year. A key feature of many of these locales is that they are surrounded by nature, where you can enjoy a blissful and calming year-end holiday. According to the latest report on Spiritual Tourism shared by OYO, Northern India witnesses maximum demand for spiritual travel followed by the South, West and East. From Vaishno Devi in the North to Tirupati in the South, we have curated a list of top 9 pilgrimage sites in India to visit with your family at least once in your lifetime.
Ghats at Varanasi!
Top 9 Pilgrimage Places In India To Visit At Least Once In Your Lifetime
1. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu And Kashmir
The temple of Vaishno Devi is a highly-esteemed pilgrimage site in India. It is located at the scenic Trikut hill in Jammu and Kashmir. The temple on a hill is worth the short trek required to reach the peak that it's nestled on. You can even opt to visit the temple in a helicopter, on a pony, or in battery-operated cars. One of the 9 Goddesses in Hinduism, Vaishno Devi gathers crowds from all over the country.
2. Jagannath Temple, Odisha
The main deities worshiped at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha are Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. Jagannath Rath Yatra is a famous procession held from the temple every year, at which all three deities are carried in a chariot across the city.
3. Golden Temple, Punjab
One of the most revered pilgrimage sites for the Sikhs is the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib of Amristar, which was built by Sri Ramdas Sahib. The temple attracts tourists from all over the world. Marveling at the majestic gold-leaf-covered temple as it glistens in the Sun, is a soothing experience just by itself. While you are there, do try the langar, prepared by the devotees in the Temples' kitchen.
The fascinating Golden Temple at Night!
4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
One of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the country, Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, attracts tourists from all over the country. Tourists from all over the world wait in long queues to witness and expereince religious rites, while the Holy Ganga enhances the beauty of the town.
5. Sabarimala Mandir, Kerala
One of the most prominent temples of the South, Sabarimala Mandir attracts more than 30 lakh pilgrims every year. It is the most prominent among all the Sastha temples in Kerala and is situated near the bustling town of Kochi, in Kerala.
6. Shirdi Sai Baba, Maharashtra
This Temple with the shrine of Sai Baba is located at Nashik in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Shirdi has many religious places, besides the Sai Baba Temple, and attracts tourists from all over the country. Some of the common sights to witness are the devotees walking barefoot to Shirdi.
7. Haridwar, Uttarakhand
People visit this fascinating town to experience the Holy Ganges and to 'wash away their sins' in the sacred river, egged on by the rhythmic chimes of cymbals that echo at the Ghats. Haridwar is also the starting point of the famous Char Dhaam yatra. You can practice yoga across the Ghats or explore this Holy city for a truly blissful experience.
Also Read: Top 7 Places To Visit In Jammu And Kashmir For A Magical Winter Holiday
Aarti at the Ganges!
8. Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh is a popular pilgrimage site in South India. Tirumala Venkateswara Temple worships Lord Vishnu and is crowded with tourists, all year round. Despite that, it is one of the quietest cities in Andhra Pradesh which makes it an ideal spot for a spiritual experience.
9. Haji Ali Dargah, Maharashtra
Haji Ali Dargah is located amidst the bustling city of Mumbai in Maharashtra. The shrine is situated in the waters of the Arabian Sea, making it a picturesque pilgrimage site. The architecture of the Dargah and its calming atmosphere are regular crowd-pullers and religious tourists line up to receive the blessings and miracles that the place is believed to bestow on its devotees.
Where are you heading for your spiritual experience to end 2022?
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