Spirituality and India appear to be two sides of the same coin. And for those who seek spiritual enlightenment, the country, with its many gods and theological wisdom doesn’t disappoint. For those craving the wisdom of religious fervour, here’s a list of pilgrimages you must take before you die!
Haridwar
Considered among the seven holiest places for Hindus, Haridwar is one of the most popular religious spots in the country. This is also where the river Ganga enters the Indo-Gangetic planes for the first time. Mythological stories around ‘samudra manthan’ narrate how drops of ‘amrut’, or the elixir of immortality, spilled on this land when it was being carried by Garuda. Fulfil your religious curiosity here, and partake in the surreal experience of the evening aarti at the ghats. A million lamps are lit, with a cloud of smoke rising into the atmosphere that reverberates with rhythmic chants heard over the din of clanging bells. Haridwar is one of the sites where the Kumbh Mela takes place once every 12 years, attracting hordes of religious visitors. Try to plan your trip around Ganga Dusshera and Somvati Amavasya Mela.
Tirupati
Located in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is considered the holiest place in the state, thanks to the Tirmuala Sri Venkateshwara Temple. In fact, comprising Upper (Tirumala) and Lower regions, Tirupati is sometimes also called the Spiritual Capital of Andhra Pradesh. Incidentally, India’s Ministry of Tourism also named it the Best Heritage City in the year 2012–2013.
Tirupati is believed to be the abode of Lord Vishnu with at least 10 prominent temples, including Sri Govindarajaswami, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy, Sri Vinayaka Swamy, Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy and Sri Bedi Anjanaye Temples. For those who cannot get enough of seeking religiosity, this one is a must-do.
Shirdi
Located in Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, Approximately 295 km from Mumbai, Shirdi is the abode of the late 19th century saint, Sri Sai Baba. Shirdi, or a corrupted version of Sree Adi was called so to denote “foot of prosperity”, and the shrine sees close 25,000 devotees in a day. Among the many must-do-once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimages, Shirdi is relatively an easier one, thanks to its connectivity and low altitude. Among the important places at this holy site is the Samadhi Temple, where Sri Sai Baba’s mortal remains have been buried. What you must not miss is the statue of Sri Sai Baba, which has been positioned in a way that it seems that the statue is looking at every devotee who enters the room, no matter from which direction.
Dwaraka, Gujarat
This one is for the devotees of Sri Krishna. It is believed that Lord Krishna moved to the coastal area of Gujarat in the Saurashtra region, and established a town called Dwarka. ‘Dwar’ here means “door” in English, and symbolizes the entry point to the western coast. The religious site has many famous temples too, the most famous being the Dwarkadish Temple, originally built in 200 BC and then reconstructed in the 17th century after vandals desecrated it. Other temples in the region include the Devi Rukmini Temple and the Nageshwar Mandir.
Vaishno Devi, Jammu
The manifestation of the Hindu goddess Mahalakshmi, Vaishno Devi is also called Mata Rani, Vaishnavi and Trikuta. The goddess is known all over the world as one who bestows upon her devotees anything they pray for. The temple of the goddess, which is very popular with spiritual and religious followers, is located at Katra, in the Trikuta Mountains. The Holy Cave, where the goddess is believed to have meditated, is at an altitude of 5,200 ft. Perhaps by virtue of its location alone, this may seem like a shrine only for the devout, for devotees have to undertake a 12 km trek to get to the cave from the base camp at Katra! But the holy site sees close to 18,000 devotees during non-peak seasons. Which means darshan could take even up to 12 hours during peak season! Then again, isn’t that what devotion is all about?
Haridwar
Considered among the seven holiest places for Hindus, Haridwar is one of the most popular religious spots in the country. This is also where the river Ganga enters the Indo-Gangetic planes for the first time. Mythological stories around ‘samudra manthan’ narrate how drops of ‘amrut’, or the elixir of immortality, spilled on this land when it was being carried by Garuda. Fulfil your religious curiosity here, and partake in the surreal experience of the evening aarti at the ghats. A million lamps are lit, with a cloud of smoke rising into the atmosphere that reverberates with rhythmic chants heard over the din of clanging bells. Haridwar is one of the sites where the Kumbh Mela takes place once every 12 years, attracting hordes of religious visitors. Try to plan your trip around Ganga Dusshera and Somvati Amavasya Mela.
Tirupati
Located in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is considered the holiest place in the state, thanks to the Tirmuala Sri Venkateshwara Temple. In fact, comprising Upper (Tirumala) and Lower regions, Tirupati is sometimes also called the Spiritual Capital of Andhra Pradesh. Incidentally, India’s Ministry of Tourism also named it the Best Heritage City in the year 2012–2013.
Tirupati is believed to be the abode of Lord Vishnu with at least 10 prominent temples, including Sri Govindarajaswami, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy, Sri Vinayaka Swamy, Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy and Sri Bedi Anjanaye Temples. For those who cannot get enough of seeking religiosity, this one is a must-do.
Shirdi
Located in Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, Approximately 295 km from Mumbai, Shirdi is the abode of the late 19th century saint, Sri Sai Baba. Shirdi, or a corrupted version of Sree Adi was called so to denote “foot of prosperity”, and the shrine sees close 25,000 devotees in a day. Among the many must-do-once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimages, Shirdi is relatively an easier one, thanks to its connectivity and low altitude. Among the important places at this holy site is the Samadhi Temple, where Sri Sai Baba’s mortal remains have been buried. What you must not miss is the statue of Sri Sai Baba, which has been positioned in a way that it seems that the statue is looking at every devotee who enters the room, no matter from which direction.
Dwaraka, Gujarat
This one is for the devotees of Sri Krishna. It is believed that Lord Krishna moved to the coastal area of Gujarat in the Saurashtra region, and established a town called Dwarka. ‘Dwar’ here means “door” in English, and symbolizes the entry point to the western coast. The religious site has many famous temples too, the most famous being the Dwarkadish Temple, originally built in 200 BC and then reconstructed in the 17th century after vandals desecrated it. Other temples in the region include the Devi Rukmini Temple and the Nageshwar Mandir.
Vaishno Devi, Jammu
The manifestation of the Hindu goddess Mahalakshmi, Vaishno Devi is also called Mata Rani, Vaishnavi and Trikuta. The goddess is known all over the world as one who bestows upon her devotees anything they pray for. The temple of the goddess, which is very popular with spiritual and religious followers, is located at Katra, in the Trikuta Mountains. The Holy Cave, where the goddess is believed to have meditated, is at an altitude of 5,200 ft. Perhaps by virtue of its location alone, this may seem like a shrine only for the devout, for devotees have to undertake a 12 km trek to get to the cave from the base camp at Katra! But the holy site sees close to 18,000 devotees during non-peak seasons. Which means darshan could take even up to 12 hours during peak season! Then again, isn’t that what devotion is all about?
