There is a well known quote about India – “Unity in Diversity”. If you want to understand the true essence behind this quote, take a spiritual tour of the country. A great mixture of diverse religions can be seen here, creating a unique and amazing spiritual environment. Here in every village there is a mosque, temple or church, and almost all the people are associated with some religious group. There are countless pilgrimage sites, where people from all over the world come to experience the rich traditions and cultures of India. There have been many great thinkers who have written extensively on religions, cultures, peace and nonviolence. These texts were providing answers to anyone looking for some soul searching and spirituality.
India has hundreds of pilgrimage centers related to various religions. First of all, Amarnath Cave and Vishnu Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir are the must-visit religious centers for Hindus. Amarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva, while the shrine of Vishnu Devi is said to be an adobe maha shakti. Both destinations see crowds on special occasions. Amarnath Yatra begins in July and August, while Vishnu Devi is open for pilgrimage throughout the year. Raghunath Mandir in Jammu and the majestic Buddhist monasteries in Leh-Ladakh are other famous religious centers in India’s northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Coming to the northern plains are the beautiful Golden Temple in Amritsar and the historic temple towns of Mathura and Varindawan, sites revered by Shaikhs and Hindus respectively. Apart from that, Haridwar, Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Kedarnath are among the famous spiritual cities in North India. Once a popular religious site for Muslims, Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan is located near Pushkhar where only the temple of Lord Brahma is located.
Jagannath Puri in Orissa is among the famous char dams for Hindus and attracts a large number of pilgrims during the annual chariot festival. This holy city is known for its rich spiritual heritage and inspiring traditions and culture. The amazingly designed Puri hotels cater to all the facilities needed for pilgrims and tourists to Puri Beach.
The spiritual tour of India remains incomplete until you visit the Tirupati Temple – “Only Vaikuntham on Earth”. This grand structure on the seventh hill of Trimola is the most visited place of worship in India and one of the richest shrines around the world. Thousands of devotees visit the temple daily, thus booking for Tirupati darshan is made in advance.
Another popular pilgrimage site in South India is Sirdi – the city where the great saint Shri Sai Baba passed his life and gave a lesson of peace, humanity and brotherhood. Like Tirupati Hotels and Puri Hotels, Sirdi Hotels also guarantee pilgrims an easy and comfortable stay in this holy city. Moreover, Rameshwaram, Mahabalipuram, Predeshwara, and Chennai are some of the must-visit destinations when you are on a spiritual tour to India.
A wide range of packages are offered by the travel agencies for a hassle-free and enjoyable trip to these religious sites in India.