10 Pilgrimages in India Worth Taking At Least Once

Thousands of people come to India from all over the world seeking spiritual enlightenment. Incidentally, most of these pilgrimage sites are tucked away in places blessed with unparalleled natural beauty. In the land of temples and pilgrimages, we pick the top 10 pilgrimages to take in India.

Shirdi

The holy town of Shirdi in Maharashtra is synonymous with Sai Baba – the saint who was revered by followers of all religions and who is said to have performed several miracles. Devotees throng his shrine year-round and the main festivals celebrated are Ramnavami, Guru Purnima and Vijayadashmi.

Book Your Pilgrimage to Shirdi Here

Tirupati

The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple near Tirupati is one of the holiest in India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Millions of devotees visit the temple every year, especially during the annual nine-day Brahmotsavan festival in October.

Book Your Pilgrimage to Tirupati Here

Rameswaram

The Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva and is also a part of the Char Dham circuit. Located in Pamban Island and connected to mainland India by a bridge, a trip to Rameswaram is a must. Mahashivratri and Navratri are especially popular festivals here.

Book Your Pilgrimage to Rameswaram Here

Somnath  and  Dwarka

The majestic seaside temples of Dwarka and Somnath are truly awe-inspiring. Dwarka is one of the four shrines comprising the Char Dham and home to the Jagat Mandir, also known as Dwarkadheesh Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The Somnath temple is one of the 12 holy Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

Book Your Pilgrimage to Somnath and Dwarka Here

Vaishno Devi

One of the most important Indian pilgrimages is to the Vaishno Devi shrine, near Katra in Jammu. The temple is at a height of 5,300 feet and can be reached after an arduous climb. It’s dedicated to the goddess Shakti and is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Navratri is the biggest festival celebrated here.

Book Your Pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi Here

Puri

The sacred seaside town of Puri in Odisha is famous for its Jagannath Temple. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, the temple’s Rath Yatra (or the chariot festival) sees devotees in large numbers from all over the world, celebrating the dieties’ procession from the temple to the ocean waters. 

Book Your Pilgrimage to Puri Here

Amritsar

A shimmering golden façade reflected in the water, soothing intonations of the Granth Sahib being read out, the calming atmosphere – a trip to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) of Amritsar is a must-do. Do not miss out on the langar where thousands of pilgrims are fed daily. Guru Nanak Jayanti and Baisakhi are some of the festivals that are celebrated with great fervour here.

Ajmer

Dargah Sharif, the Sufi shrine of the saint Moinuddin Chisti at Ajmer, is a favourite with Bollywood celebrities who make a beeline for it before every film release! Thousands of devotees come here to offer a chadar on fulfilment of their wishes. The annual Urs Festival commemorates the Sufi saint.

Read more: Festivals and Fairs of Rajasthan in 2017-18

Mathura

Known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura and nearby Vrindavan are home to hundreds of temples dedicated to the playful, dark-skinned god. Keshav Dev Temple and Banke Bihari Temple are amongst the important shrines here. Janmashtami and Holi are major festivals in Dwarka.

Varanasi

The ancient city of Varanasi is considered one of the most holy cities and there are several temples located on the banks of the Ganga river. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Sankat Mochan Temple are two of the most visited in the city. The annual Ganga Mahotsav celebrates the rich cultural heritage of India.

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