Spirituality is an integral part of Indian culture. Adorned with several colourful festivals and celebrations, Indian religious sites are a unique combination of culture, art and tradition.

Each religious site has its own story along with a rich historical significance.

Indians treasure spirituality and travel long distances to visit religious places. Even people across the globe visit India to get a taste of its spirituality.

Some people get so connected with Indian culture and its spiritual essence that they decide to live in India. They imbibe Indian tradition and find their holy abode here in India to make this country their home.

So, we decided to speak about the most famous religious sites of India.

Top 10 religious sites of India!

1. Vaishno Devi 

• It’s a Hindu temple that is placed at an elevation of 5300 feet and is one of the most revered religious destinations for Hindus.

• Many people travel to Vaishno Devi in spite of it being inside an ancient cave in the Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir.

• Nearly 8 million devotees around the world visit Vaishno Devi each year.

• Hindus believe that you will not be able to visit the shrine unless you get the call from the Goddess. This call is referred to as ‘bulawa’. 

• Reaching there is not a simple journey. It is a trek of about 12 kilometres from the base camp at Katra.

• The climb is certainly not easy due to the steep steps though there is no denying that devotees complete the journey based on their utter devotion for the deity and enthusiasm too.

• Though you can also travel by helicopter from Katra to Sanji Chhat. After this spot, you need to walk 2.5 kilometers to reach the shrine.

• Ponies and palanquins are available too. The route is lined up with shops for the devotees.

   

   

2. Tirupati

• Tirupati is famous holy destination for Indians who seek the blessings of the deity Kaliyuga, Lord Venkateshwara also referred to as Balaji Tirupati and famed as Lord Venkateswara.

• Situated in Andhra Pradesh, India the temple is placed in the Tirumala Hills at a height of 860m.

• It is well connected to other South Indian cities and is one of the busiest pilgrimage centers in the world.

• Many tales are associated with this religious destination thus it awes travellers around the world. It is believed that the deity is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

   

   

3. Varanasi

• Situated in Uttar Pradesh it is regarded as the spiritual capital for many Indians.

• Varanasi attracts pilgrims in vast numbers who bathe in the River Ganga’s holy water and also perform funeral rituals.

• Varanasi has 87 ghats where poojas and aartis are conducted by devotees each day.

• Dashashwamedh Ghat is the most popular ghat in Varanasi and it is believed that Bramha performed ten Ashwamedha sacrifices here.

• In the evening an Aarti is performed which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Goddess Ganga, Surya and Agni as well as the entire Universe. 

• The city has around 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

   

4. Golden Temple

• Golden Temple is also known as Sri Harmindar Sahib or Darbar Sahib and symbolises humility and equality.

• It is situated in the city of Amritsar, Punjab and is an eminent spiritual site for Sikhs.

• There is a man-made pool on the site completed by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das. 

• It is built with exquisite gold and marble work.

• Surrounded by the holy tank known as Amrit Sarovar it has four entrances welcoming all faiths.

• People around the world visit Golden Temple for peace and tranquillity.

• An unbelievable 100,000 devotees visit the temple the tradition of ‘Langar’ is famous where free meals are served to everyone.

• It doesn’t matter which religion, caste or social status you belong to.

• When the reflection of the Golden hues is seen on the glistening water it’s a memorable sight.

• One can experience peace and deep spiritual connection when one visits Golden Temple.

• It's a place that should be visited since the experience is beyond words.

   

5. Bodh Gaya

• Gautam Buddha attained supreme Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
  
  
• Devotees throng Bodh Gaya and some believe that it could cause awareness and acceptance of the belief that nothing stays forever.
  
  
• This historical place where Buddha achieved enlightenment is now a place of pilgrimage.
  
  
• The Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya is situated 115 km south of Bihar, Patna.
  
  
• It is among one of the four holy sites related to the life of Lord Buddha, the others being Kushinagar, Lumbini and Sarnath.
  
  
• The place is bustling throughout the year as devotees throng the place all around the year.

6. Basilica of Bom Jesus

• The famous Church of Goa is known as the Roman Catholic Basilica of Bom Jesus.

• This beautiful church is located 10 km away from Panjim and is recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

• A beautiful monument of all the churches in Goa, the construction is an iconic cathedral whose construction began in 1594 and was completed in 1605.

• One should visit the Statue of St. Francis Xavier, The Chapel of St. Francis Xavier and the Modern Art Gallery.

• The building of this magnificent church marks the beginning of Christianity in India.

• It holds the remains of St. Francis Xavier even after 400 years.

• The church also has the Holy Trinity, which is considered to be the most sacred symbol in Christianity.

• You will be awed by its beauty and one should surely visit it. Basilica of Bom Jesus is over 408 years old and is open to all every day.

   

   

7. Ranakpur

• Ranakpur is a small village in the Pali district of Rajasthan and an ideal place for nature lovers.

• Located between two famous cities of Udaipur and Jodhpur, the village is surrounded by lush greenery, and is extremely picturesque.

• Ranakpur is a nature delight which has waterfalls, valleys, lakes and wildlife sanctuaries.

• The place has beautiful Jain temples dedicated to Tirthankaras.

• One cannot stop appreciating the architectural brilliance of the Jain artistry and sculpturing.

• Visiting the temples in Ranakpur is a calming and humbling experience owing to its serenity. It’s a spiritually enriching experience.

• Along with this, nature’s wilderness can be experienced while trekking in Roopnmata and by opting for a Jeep Safari at the Ranakpur Wildlife Sanctuary.

   

   

8. Ajmer sharif

• The Dargah of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishty, Ajmer Sharif is visited by pilgrims of all castes from all over the world.

• People strongly believe that wishes are granted at this holy dargah when devotees offer langar, Niaz, flowers, chadars, etc.

• Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was a Persian Sufi saint and is enshrined here.

• His secular preachings have blessed devotes and it is believed that he is the descendant of Muhammad.

• If you pray anything with a pure heart here at the Ajmer Dargah it is bound to get fulfilled.

9. Gokarna

• One of the most beautiful temples and a holy abode for the devotees of Lord Shiva, Gokarna is a town on the Arabian Sea, in the South Western state of Karnataka.

• Gokarna temples face the beach on the Arabian Sea.

• The temple is believed to have the ‘Pranalinga’ or ‘Atmalinga’ or ‘Shiva Linga’.

• People strongly believe that the temple bestows immense blessings on devotees even with the least faith.

• The town is well known for beaches like the Gokarna in the center surrounded by Kudle and Om down south.

• Built-in the classic Dravidian architectural style, it has a 1500 years old carved stone of the Lord Shiva idol.

• It is also mentioned in the Mahabharat and Ramayana and called as the Dakshin Kashi. 

• The top of the Atmalinga is visible to devotees. But when the Ashta Bandana Kumbhahishekam, festival is held once every 40 years the entire ‘Atmalinga’ is shown to the devotees. 

   

   

10. Kudalasangama

• Referred in many poems by Akka Mahadevi the famous Indian poetess it is an important pilgrimage for Lingayats.

• Located 15 kilometres from Almatti Dam in the Bagalkote district of Karnataka.

• The Krishna and Malaprabha Rivers meet and then flow east towards Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh making it the most serene place for devotees and travellers to visit.

• The Sangmanatha Temple was built in the 13th century under the reign of the Chalukyas.

• It is the Aikya mantapa or Samadhi of Basveshwara.

• One can witness the Aikya Linga of Lord Basaveshwara, the founder of the Lingyat religion and the Mahamane of the Basava Dharma Peetha along with the mini forest called the Poojavana.

   

   

Each religious destination in India has its own significance. Tour operators can share the information with their customers during various festive seasons and also with tourists around the world.

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