India is called the land of faith for many reasons. The country will shower you with spirituality and history. Two of the best combinations to make your India trip worth it.
You can find many religious destinations in India that will heal your soul. Here, the existence of holy sites will give you an experience of divine presence. Some cities and temples are centuries old and have carried out their stories for thousands of years.
Don’t believe us? You can see the detailed cravings around the temples like the Sun Temple in Odisha and Ranakpur Temple in Rajasthan.
Some of the highly popular religious destinations in India are -
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Sun Temple in Konark, Odisha
- Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab
- Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu & Kashmir
- Somnath Jyotirlinga, Gujarat
- Ranakpur Temple, Rajasthan
- Shri Hemkund Sahib, Uttarakhand
- Velankanni Church, Tamil Nadu
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
India’s most spiritual city is Varanasi. Thousands of devotees come to bathe in the Ganga river that flows through the city.
What most visitors come to see in Varanasi are the ghats here. Each ghat has a name and a back story. For instance, Manikarnika Ghat is for cremation. It is a sacred site considered those who are cremated here may get moksha, free from the cycle of life and death.
The best ghats in Varanasi to soak in the spiritual essence are Assi Ghat, Manmandir Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, and Manikarnika Ghat. Some of the attractions in Varanasi are Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Durga Temple.
Sun Temple in Konark, Odisha
To witness the marvellous Indian architecture, you need to visit Konark, Odisha. Here the star attraction is the Sun Temple. It has got an unmatched beauty if compared to other temples around it.
Its massive size and intricately designed style prove the genius minds of ancient civilizations. The highlight of the temple is the Sun God you will see sitting on a chariot depicting the victory of King Narsimhadeva I.
There are several other architectural wonders around the Sun Temple. Make sure to see the hall of offerings and 12 pairs of carved wheels around the temple. The erotic cravings are the most noticeable factor here as loved by many art enthusiasts.
Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab
Amritsar is the most famous city in Punjab, home to the Golden Temple and the history-filled Jallianwala Bagh.
The dome of the temple is completely made of gold. With roughly 400 KG of gold leaf. Built on a 67-ft square with a two-storey structure, it welcomes visitors 24 hours a day.
It is one of the most sacred places for the Sikh religion. Besides the above-mentioned attractions in Amritsar, it is also a popular border city that separates India and Pakistan. You can reach the Attari–Wagah border where the morning and evening ceremonies of exchange of guards/hoisting of flags are done.
Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu & Kashmir
One of the most scenic and beautiful temples in India is the Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu & Kashmir.
Getting here is a holistic experience, an arduous trek with devotees stepping on foot at a time for the same reason as you, to pray. The temple is located in the Trikuta Hills in Jammu with stunning views of the snow-clad mountains and beautiful landscape.
Mata Vaishno is one of the Hindu Gods and it is among the most popular pilgrimage treks in India. Despite its long journey and multiple exchanges of rides, it makes a trip to the temple worth it. Due to its popularity, there are helipads and other modes to transport for those who cannot hike.
Somnath Jyotirlinga, Gujarat
It is said that Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gujarat is the first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlings across India. But what is Jyotirlinga? It is the devotional representation of Lord Shiva.
The temple holds an important place amongst Hindu pilgrims, it has been a holy source of divinity and spirituality for Hindus.
Somnath Jyotirlinga is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, close to the ancient trading port, Veraval.
Ranakpur Temple, Rajasthan
Rajasthan is often pictured as a place with forts and desert but the state has many temples some dating back centuries.
One of the many temples filled with history is Ranakpur Temple located in Ranakpur village in Rajasthan. This site is amongst the largest and oldest and most sacred temples of Jain culture. Thus, it holds importance for the devotees.
Annually, many pilgrims visit Ranakpur Temple to seek solace and admire the majestic architecture. The surrounding ambience may provide some kind of calm. And if you seek divinity, you may receive it in the form of peace.
Shri Hemkund Sahib, Uttarakhand
The perfect way to mix adventure with devotion is by going to Shri Hemkund Sahib. Located in the upper parts of Uttarakhand, it makes an ideal place to experience the beauty of the state.
Shri Hemkund Sahib is the only gurudwara built on top of the mountain. Thus, it is the most sacred Sikh pilgrimage site in India. Unlike the rest of the gurudwaras, the architecture of Shri Hemkund Sahib is a pentagonal structure. Mostly to keep the snow off the roofs.
The lake beside the temple adds more beauty to the temple. Despite the climatic conditions around this mountain region, devotees from over India come to worship and seek solace on the lap of nature.
Velankanni Church, Tamil Nadu
The southern part of India is blessed with beautiful temples, colourful and tall. But amongst the many temples in south India, the Velankanni Church in the state of Tamil Nadu is a beauty.
Velankanni Church has stunning gothic style architecture and the style of the building is solely what attracts visitors to the church.
Also known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, here, you can visit the church and feel peaceful. Learn about the history of the church. Which is believed to have been commissioned to be built by a Portuguese sailor.
