10 Most Famous Spiritual Places in India

Our country India manifests a diversity that’s truly intriguing. People of various cultural backgrounds and faiths live together in India and form the most kaleidoscopic cultural mosaic. The Northern part of India vividly exhibits various relics from our glorious, ancient past. North India is dotted with numerous magnificent temples and monuments – Famous Spiritual Places in India that have made their way into the prestigious World Heritage Sites listicle.

List of Famous Spiritual Places in India

The religiously inclined population of the country flock at large numbers at the various temples of North India to pay their obeisance to the deity. Age-old traditions, customs, and architectural gravity are mirrored most amazingly through the various spiritual places of North India. To learn more about the top 8 Famous Spiritual Places in India, read on-

Dwarka

Dwarka also spelled as Dwaraka, Dvaraka, and Dwarka is a city located in the district of Devbhoomi Dwarka in Gujarat state. It is one of the prominent Chardham pilgrimage sites among Hindus as well as one of the seven most ancient religious cities (Sapta Puri) in India. It is believed to be a sacred place that used to be the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna and the first capital of the state.

Varanasi

The city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is steeped in spiritual grandeur and cultural vivacity. Set along the holy Ganges side, this ancient city has some of the most famed ghats of the country. As per common beliefs, Varanasi could impart moksha to anyone who breathes his last at this place.

Thus several Hindu rituals like Shradh, Asthi Bisarjan, Mundan, etc are performed out in the open on the auspicious ghats of Varanasi. Lord Shiva is the ruling deity of Varanasi and his abode is the renowned Kashi Vishwanath temple. This city is enriched with music and dance too. Also, there’s a captivating old-world charm about the narrow serpentine lanes of Varanasi.

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Haridwar

Haridwar is one of the most popular spiritual places in the whole of India. The word ‘Haridwar’ means ‘Har ki Dwar’ or Gateway to God’s abode. The nomenclature aptly fits the place because it is from Haridwar at the base of the Himalayas that pilgrims move upward on their Chardham Yatra or on other Uttarakhand pilgrimage trips.

The chief highlights of Haridwar include Ganga aarti at the Har-ki-Pauri ghat, the Kumbh Mela held at an interval of every 12 years, religious sightseeing sites like Chandi Devi temple, Maya Devi temple, Mansa Devi Temple, Parad Shivling, Daksheshwar Mahadev temple, Kamraj-ki-Kali temple, Bilkeshwar Mahadev temple, Doodhadhari Barfani Baba temple, Ganga temple, etc.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh, the country’s ‘Yoga Capital’ comes with a serene, peaceful ambience and is blessed with the most gorgeous beauties of Nature. This holy city of Uttarakhand with its many beautiful Ganges side ghats, Yogic ashrams and centers of spiritual learning evokes in all, a desire to meditate or to get lost into the depths of spiritual studies. Rishikesh receives a huge lot of foreign tourists enthusiastic about spiritual learning. Rishikesh lies in close vicinity to Haridwar.

Amritsar

The city of Amritsar in Punjab is perhaps the holiest place on earth for followers of Sikhism. Amritsar comes with the famous Gurudwara of Harmandir Sahib or golden temple. This magnificent temple manifests a lavish Gold plated architecture. The sheen of gold on its walls and dome is beautifully reflected in the waters of ‘Amrit Sarovar’, a miraculous pond the waters of which is believed to possess healing powers.

The holy book of Sikhs ‘Guru Granth Sahib is preserved with much reverence within the shrine of the Golden temple. Melodious ‘Guru Vaani’ hums all through the temple premises spreading across the aura of pure divinity. Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with immense pomp and grandeur at this pilgrimage spot.

Vaishno Devi

The shrine of Ma Vaishno Devi, hugely popular among the country’s pilgrimage circuit is a cave shrine high up on the Trikuta mountain ranges. Another shrine that quite resembles the Vaishno Devi shrine is Amarnath Dham which too is a cave shrine. Both Vaishno Devi and Amarnath shrines are located in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Ma Vaishno Devi is the ruling deity here and is a manifestation of the supreme power or Goddess Shakti.

Three natural formations of rock known by the name of ‘Pindi’ are enshrined at the Vaishno Devi shrine. It is commonly believed that only when the Mata summons her devotees, one can reach the shrine successfully.

Akshardham Temple

Traditionally-styled, devotionally-inspired Swaminarayan Akshardham temple of Delhi is indeed an architectural masterpiece. The beauty, grace, cleanliness, richness of heritage is beautifully reflected through the enormous and ornate architecture of the temple. Timeless religious messages are clearly conveyed through the temple. A visit to the palatial Swaminarayan Akshardham is a true treat for the eyes and the mind.

Allahabad

The historical, cultural, and religious significance of Allahabad is simply unsurpassed. The city is famous for its Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of three extremely holy Rivers of the country-Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical River Saraswati. Pilgrims believe that a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam could rid them of their burden of sins.

Allahabad is another venue for the iconic Kumbh Mela. Pilgrims visiting Allahabad often proceed towards Varanasi to have a Darshan of Kashi Vishwanath. Thus, the Varanasi Allahabad pilgrimage trip is a common pilgrimage trip opted out by pilgrims.

Ayodhya

The holy city of Ayodhya is laid out on the river banks of Sarayu. As per myths Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu took his birth here. The city of Ayodhya vibrates with deep spiritual and legendary significance despite all the decade old-communal controversies. Temples and monuments like a Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhavan, Guptar ghat, Gulab Bari, Mausoleum of Bahu Begum are the key highlights of Ayodhya.

Somnath

Somnath is another Hindu religious site of Gujarat, the temple town of Somnath exudes great faith and historic charm. The region has been named in epics like Mahabharata and Puranas. The region is considered to be the place where Moon worshipped Lord Shiva and hence this place is called Somnath. As per another tale it is said that, it is the place where Lord Krishna was shot by a poacher who misunderstood him for a deer.

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