“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
If taking up a journey for a deeper understanding of your own self is on your cards or want to pick a journey to attain new sight and transformation then India is THE place!
Where the tranquillity and purity of the holy places will definitely make you feel contented and will calm your soul.
Religious Tourism is a kind of journey where you visit places that are faith-based destinations. It could be that you want to take part in a pilgrimage or want to pay homage to the sacred place. You wish to acquire knowledge about that place or visit the place for spiritual awakening but one thing is sure internal leisure and spiritual peace are what you will experience here.
India, being one of the most ancient civilizations of the world, has been touched by almost all the major religions of the world, and despite being dominated by Hinduism various religions like Islam, Buddhism and Christianity have also influenced a sizeable portion of the population, apart from niche religions like Sikhism, Jainism, Vaishnavism that grew as branches to the major religious schools of thought.
India, the spiritual hub of the world, is a land of gods and goddesses where the country is dotted with multiple temples and religious places, where the air carries the mesmerizing fragrance of incense sticks, flowers, Havana and Mantras. IndiaATour has tried to cover many religious destinations from the mighty Himalayas to the shores of oceans, from deserted landscapes to deep alleys, through their religious circuit tour to different parts of the country.
NORTHERN RELIGIOUS CIRCUIT OF INDIA
Find the meaning of life and attain inner peace through self-realisation and personal transformation in the vast glaciation heightened heavens, deep valleys and mountain peaks of the Himalayas that attracts the attention of every traveller since the beginning of civilisation. Embark a journey to the Garhwal region of the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, called Dev Bhumi, the Land of the Gods. Badrinath, one of the Char Dhams, sitting at the height of 11,000 feet the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu Or to Kedarnath, sitting at the head of the Mandakini river, the holiest pilgrimage temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 jyotirlingas- a linga that a spiritually evolved being sees as an endless pillar of fire and light. Visit the symbol of brotherhood and humanity, India’s only temple that feeds one lakh people every day –Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib. The temple is located in Amritsar, Punjab and is the most significant shrine in Sikhism.
Alongside the Yamuna river in Uttar Pradesh is the heart of Brij Bhoomi and birth place of Lord Krishna –Mathura and the childhood abode of Lord Krishna –Vrindavan, where it is believed Lord Krishna still visits the Nidhivan and conducts Raasleela every single night
Sitting on the cerulean and holy waters of the river Ganga are the towns of Haridwar, in Uttrakhand and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Both the cities are famous for the temples and Ghats where pilgrims bathe to relieve themselves of their sins and achieve salvation. Feel the communion between the Almighty and Mother Nature at Ganga aarti in Haridwar and Varanasi.
WESTERN RELIGIOUS CIRCUIT OF INDIA
Western states of India hold a great significance in all religions, the most notable ones are Hinduism, Islam and Jainism. Muslim devotees flock to the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer to seek the blessings of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. Jains visit Ranakpur Jain Temples, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for followers of Jainism, known as the“A Spiritual Oasis in Aravalli” or Dilwara Jain Temples in Mount Abu as Immersed in the vibrant culture with a myriad of enrapturing beauty. The Hindus visit the sanctified pilgrim centres of Karni Mata Temple at Deshnoke, Bikaner, famous for more than 25,000 rats that live, and are revered, in the temple or Pushkar, one of the five sacred pilgrimage sites in India according to Hinduism. This oasis town is blessed with only Brahma Temple in the country and is world famous for the exuberant way the Pushkar Camel Fair is conducted here.
Moving into the state of Gujarat- for a Hindu pilgrim the state is considered to be the abode of God and the place which was the Kingdom of Lord Krishna. The capital of Lord Krishna’s Kingdom was Dwarka, an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus and is renowned for the Dwarkadheesh temple and other notable historical and religious sites.
Somnath is first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of India, Shree Somnath Mahadev. Dubbed as Eternal Shrine, it is believed here Lord Krishna ended his Lila and took his last journey to his neejdham.
Located in the state of Maharashtra is the home of Sai Baba – Shirdi. One of Sai Baba’s well-known epigrams, Allah Malik’s “God is King” and Sabka Malik Ek’s “Everyone’s Master is One”, is associated with both Hinduism and Islam.
EASTERN RELIGIOUS CIRCUIT OF INDIA
The Eastern Zone of India has numerous temples scattered all around the area, dedicated to various religions majorly to Hinduism and Buddhism.
Witness the awe inspiring Deogarh Jyotirlings or the second most revered Shakti Peeth – Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata. Stroll through one of the most highly revered pilgrimage centres for Hindus- Puri. The magnificent Jagannath Temple. Of Puri is famous for its annual Rath Yatra or Chariot festival when the three main temple deities are hauled on huge embellished chariots through the crowded streets. or pay homage to one of the oldest living cities in the world and the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment – Bodh Gaya.
CENTRAL RELIGIOUS CIRCUIT OF INDIA
The pious and religious spirit of the “Heart Of India” can be easily captured from its ancient temples, shrines and pilgrimage places. At the convolution of sacred rivers, Narmada and Kaveri is the Om shaped island having one of the twelve jyotirlingas, Omkareshwar Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva. Near Ujjain in Central India is Mahakaleshwar Temple another Jyotirlinga of the state dedicated to Lord Shiva. The region is home to several UNESCO Heritage sites, like that of erotic temples of Khajuraho and Sanchi Stupas famous for monasteries, stupas, temples and pillars, which tells the episodes and miracles from Lord Buddha’s life.
SOUTHERN RELIGIOUS CIRCUIT OF INDIA
The towering temple structures of Southern India, beautifully represent the Dravidian architecture which is liberally employed in temples belonging to Hindu deities. Visit the colourful stepped temple Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati (Meenakshi). During the ‘Tirukalyanam Festival,’ celebrated over a period of 10 days, the temple attracts more than a million devotees. Another religious site for Hindus is Rameshwaram being a part of one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Lord Rama is believed to have sanctified this place by worshipping and glorifying Lord Shiva before building a bridge with rocks from the sea and shores to cross the ‘Sethu canal’ and reach Lanka. Another famous and one of the wealthiest temples of India is Lord Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala or Tirupati Balaji. It is believed that Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Sri Venkateswara to save mankind from the adversities of Kali Yuga.
While these are some major religious destinations, others are also no less significant. Enrich your senses and indulge in loads of spirituality in India.
“We are all perfect creatures of God, figuring out our own way back to Him.”
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