Top 10 Must Visit Pilgrimage Sites in India

Situated in Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is considered to be one of the most, if not the most holy place in India. If you seek spiritual enlightenment and intimate knowledge of the traditions and rituals of Hinduism, Varanasi is the place for you. A flight to Varanasi will bring you to the city and then you can hop on buses and cabs to reach your hotel. After settling in your hotel room, head out straight to the city’s main attraction, the holy river Ganga where you can cherish the beautiful sunrise (or sunset, depending on when you reach) and explore the revered temples nearby. Bathing in the holy waters of Ganga or watching various Hindu rituals will fill your heart with divinity.

On this list of pilgrimage places in India, Haridwar is a must. What’s so special about the city located in Uttarakhand? The place hosts one of the biggest religious fairs, the Kumbh Mela! But it is organised once every 12 years. So, if you want to experience the mela, plan your visit accordingly. Around the mela or not, whenever you come here, you must visit the Ganga ghats where you will get to see elaborate Hindu rituals and ceremonies. Don’t miss the evening aarti that creates a spectacular sight with numerous illuminated diyas. Another charming attraction of Haridwar, apart from the spiritual significance, is an outstanding view of the Shivalik mountain ranges. To visit this holy city, you can fly to Dehradun airport and then opt for a cab ride.

Located in Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a city that holds immense historical significance. From the Khajuraho airport, you can avail public transports to explore the religious sites. To answer a probable question, you will find India’s largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples here. When you are here, do pay attention to the sculptures and erotic art on the walls because they will surely intrigue you!

The main attraction of Shirdi is the Sai Baba’s idol, which is harboured at the Sai temple, one of the most popular pilgrimage temples in Maharashtra. You can visit the temple as early as 5.30 am in the morning by paying an entry fee of Rs 200. Seek blessings from the revered saint who people believe, have performed many miracles in his lifetime. If you are travelling by flight, you have to land at Aurangabad airport from where you can get a taxi to the temple. We suggest you come here on a Thursday as it is considered as the holy day and a special aarti is performed.

The second-largest city of Punjab, Amritsar is our next pilgrimage site recommendation. After your flight lands in Amritsar, visit the biggest Sikh religious shrine, the Golden Temple in this city. You can guess from the name that the temple is wrapped in gold. Well, half of the temple actually is! The white and gold contrast of the temple is simply alluring. Go in to pray for a prosperous future. You can participate in cooking at one of India’s biggest langars (community kitchen) here in Amritsar. Also, you can take a dip in the surrounding lake, Amrit Sarovar, which locals believe to be a holy water body.

A weekend pilgrimage site for most people of Kolkata, Puri is located in Orissa and houses the famous Jagannath Temple. An abode of Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra, this temple is visited by numerous tourists from all parts of India. In case you are planning a visit, you can also fly to Bhubaneswar airport and head to the temple via cab. We suggest you come here in July when you can encounter the biggest Rath Yatra festival. You will be charmed to see enormous chariots carrying idols being pulled by devotees from all around.

A city where people mainly go for pilgrimage, Tirupati is the next one on our list of 10 religious places in India. You can either land in Tirupati airport or in Bangalore airport from where you will get both public transport and private cars to reach the famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. You can follow the most famous ritual of sacrificing your hair, dedicating it to Lord Venkateshwara. The divine aura, grand rituals and vibrant festivities of this place are worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime.

One of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ramanathaswamy Temple is waiting for you in Rameswaram. Do you know what’s most intriguing about this place? That it is connected to the Indian mainland only by a bridge! Yes, you heard that right! You will basically spot it on Pamban island. Once you are here, the gold-coated temple will leave you spellbound with its intricate wall carvings and innovative shape. Trust us and visit here on Mahashivratri or Navratri when grand festivals are held here. To reach here, a cab ride from Madurai airport will be the most convenient option for you.

How can we frame a list of 10 holy places of India without mentioning the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura! Take a flight to Agra airport and then hop on a car to reach this holy city in Uttar Pradesh. When you enter the palace, you will see plenty of temples embellishing the city. Our suggestions for you will be to visit at least the Keshav Dev Temple and Banke Bihari Temple, if not all of them. You can come here for pilgrimage all around the year, but to get the best experience, come during the famous Janmashtami festival when the entire city is dressed up in vibrant colours.

Last but not least is the auspicious town of Kedarnath that houses one of the famous religious sites in India, the Kedarnath Temple. From Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport, a cab ride can help you reach near the temple. But, to finally reach the temple, you have to walk through steep slopes. Yes, it is worth the effort! You will feel all your tiredness getting healed once you visit the temple and experience its glorious aura. Needless to say, the surrounding snow-capped Himalayan mountains create a view worth gazing at.

Well, we will definitely suggest you visit all the above-mentioned pilgrimage sites. But, you can start with your favourites first! Wishing you an auspicious journey ahead!