virtual visit to indian pilgrimages

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Take a Virtual Live Tour of India’s Famous Pilgrimages With Temple 360°

INDIA, May 11, 2023 (Temple360): Through the Temple 360 website you have a 24/7 experience of an immersive spiritual journey and temple darshans through live camera feeds across the temples of India. There are dozens of temples featured including: The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple, the Shree Swaminarayan Temple, the Somnath Temple and the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. This site offers information about the temple, live darshan, pooja details, events, photos and more. https://temple360.in/

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA, June 4, 2024 (Press Release, Emory University): A full-time position for a…

10 India VIRTUAL TOURS to take now

If you’re longing to get a taste of India without being able to travel there in person (or even if you’re stuck at home in India), a great way to escape into a world of India’s finest sights, monuments and places is to go on one of these India virtual tours.

From Indian museum virtual tours, to Taj Mahal virtual tours, there is a surprising amount of 360 degree virtual tour India video and content out there, if you have a little time and know where to find it.

I love taking virtual tours not only as a way to experience India while at home , but it’s also a great way to start planning your trip to India. Discover some of India’s best known sites and cities to see if they make your travel shortlist, for when we are all able to travel again.

So, without further ado, here are some of the best India virtual tours that we’ve found that’ll help satisfy your wanderlust right now.

Are you looking for more India travel inspiration? Make sure you join our India Travel Planning Facebook Group here !

Taj Mahal Virtual Tour

We’ll start with the big one! If you’re looking to take a Taj Mahal virtual tour, Google maps has some nice footage and 360 degree photos you can scroll around to get into the details, too. The whole Taj Mahal complex is mapped on Google Streetview, which provides a nice reminder of what the Taj normally looks like, complete with crowds.

For something more structured, there is a collection of nice 360 degree videos available here , that give a nice intro to how the Taj looks from pretty much any angle. Our favourite, however, is Google’s Taj Mahal Tour from the Top which is available here . Or you can go for a virtual wander through the Taj’s gardens , or you can take a look at the history of the Taj Mahal with some beautiful black and white photographs in this ‘ Online Exhibit ‘.

Delhi Virtual Tour

If you’re looking to take a virtual tour of Delhi, India’s capital, there are also plenty of different virtual tours and exhibits on offer – ranging from you tube videos, to 360 degree photos and online exhibitions.

Some of our favourites include a look at the Lodhi Garden Monuments , which are located in south central Delhi and provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Old Delhi or Connaught Place (CP). The online exhibit takes you through the history of the monuments, their architecture and design as well as glimpses of the lovely park.

You can take an online look at big-hitting tourist attractions such as Delhi’s Red Fort or the beautiful Qutub Minar complex to the south of the city. Or for something a bit different there is also an exhibit dedicated to Delhi’s Baolis or Stepwells .

Mumbai Virtual Tour

The heart of India’s economy and (more famously) it’s film industry, we make no secret of the fact that Mumbai is our most beloved Indian city. After beautiful scenes of a serene and quiet Marine Drive during lockdown, we were inspired to go on the hunt for virtual tours that would share more of Mumbai’s beauty.

Some of our favourite virtual tours of Mumbai include a look around the iconic CSMT station (VT) , touring the caves on Elephanta Island , or you can take your very own (virtual) sunset stroll along Marine Drive , aka the Queen’s Necklace. For those interested in contemporary culture, there’s also an interesting virtual exhibit about street art in the slum area of Dharavi.

Golden Temple, Amritsar Virtual Tour

If you’re looking for a Golden Temple virtual tour, one of the best we’ve found is this one . With content provided by Incredible India, this online exhibit of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab is full of beautiful photos, information about Sikhism, and 360 degree footage, including a look at the huge hall in which the world’s largest lun gar (a free holy meal provided to all) is served to over 100,000 people every day.

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Bangalore Virtual Tour

The much less visited (by foreign tourists at least) than some of India’s other cities, Bangalore has a lot to offer and is a beautiful destination to visit – if you can get through the traffic that is. The best part of this virtual tour, Bangalore, is you can forget about any traffic jams and simply get a taste for what this southern city has to offer.

The best virtual tour of Bangalore that we’ve found so far is this one . Join TGF hosts for a glimpse at Bangalore’s historic districts, temples, IT Hubs and best food spots, the botanical gardens and Lalbagh.

Ahmedabad Virtual Tour

If you’re interested in exploring the western state of Gujarat, virtually (which you should be, this state has plenty to offer), Gujarat Tourism has a host of footage and virtual tours available on their website with 360 degree maps of many sites, including some of Ahmedabad’s historical monuments.

One of our favourite virtual tours is of the Rani Ki Vav step well in Gujarat, located to the north west of Ahmedabad and one of India’s most beautiful step wells.

Hampi Virtual Tour

One of southern India’s most popular tourist destinations and long a main stopping off point on the hippie trail, there are few things better than seeing a Hampi sunrise and visiting in person . Fortunately, in the interim, Incredible India has some good online exhibits and virtual tours to whet your appetite to visit in real life.

You can learn about the history of the lost city , discover the history and crafts of the nomadic Lambani people who lived in Hampi, or take a visual journey through the poetry of Hampi’s stone carvings .

Or if you still want to see more after those virtual Hampi tours, there’s a whole website dedicated to virtual footage of Hampi – Hampi360.com!

Jaipur Virtual Tour

Part of India’s famous golden triangle , it’s with good reason that Jaipur is one of the most popular places to visit in India for visitors. Famed for its colourful pink hued walls that surround the old city, and palaces and havelis galore, there’s a good deal to see in Jaipur. If you haven’t made it here in real life just yet, there are plenty of virtual tours of Jaipur on offer.

Learn about the women musicians of Rajasthan , all about making jewellery in Jaipur (Jaipur is famous for its gems trade), or you can even go on a tour of some of Jaipur’s most famous hotels. This video gives you a tour of the Taj Rambagh Palace hotel. For more grandeur, you can take in the famous Hawa Mahal palace on this virtual walk .

Or for more tours, Rajasthan Tourism has also been offering virtual walks around Jaipur, and is expanding more virtual tours of Jaipur and beyond to help satisfy our wanderlust.

Varanasi Virtual Tour

Varanasi – or Kashi – as it’s more affectionately known, is an assault on the senses. No matter how many virtual tours or videos you watch of Varanasi, you’ll only get a small taste of Varanasi, the rest of the experience has to be felt, smelt, heard and seen with your own senses.

But, virtual tours of Varanasi can be a great way to prepare for your visit and get to know more about the history of Varanasi, its rich craft and textile traditions, and the infamous Ganga aarti experience. For an introduction to Varanasi and its beautiful handwoven sarees, you can start with this online exhibit .

For more on the master weavers of Varanasi, textiles and sarees, you can watch this virtual tour . Or, for a more general look around Varanasi, you can find plenty of 360 photos and videos here .

Goa Virtual Tours

You might think what’s the point of taking a Goa virtual tour when I just want to be on the beach? And yes, we agree. But—Goa is far more than its beaches, as many of the virtual tours and online exhibits we found point out. If you’d love to know a little more about Goa’s history, Portuguese legacy, architecture, arts and crafts then read on.

If you miss the stunning 360 views of Goa’s beaches, forts and lighthouses, a great place to start is the Goa Tourism website which has a whole range of 360 panoramic photos .

To delve into Goa’s culture, there’s an online exhibit introduction to Goa here , or take a look into Goa’s beautiful windows and doorways, take a (virtual) walk around the Museum of Goa , or take a train ride past the beautiful Dudhsagar Falls .

Love these virtual tours? Why not share this list on Pinterest!

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Virtual Reality (VR) Tour of Taj Mahal

Virtual reality tour of taj mahal.

An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.

How to explore this VR Tour

• Click on the Audio (speaker button) to listen the background story.
• Click on the “Full screen” button on right upper corner to see the VR tour in full screen mode.
• Each Virtual Tour is connected through various 360 degree Panorama, so with the help of mouse curser you can move the Panorama (on laptop/computer) and with fingers on your mobile phone.
• Various markers are given to explore the VR tours: Click on the plus sign to read about the place, to see the video, photographs and even to attempt the assessment. Click on the black arrow to move forward and backward in a VR tour.
• Click on the black arrow to enter the tour.

Watch the video to know more about this VR tour:

To attend worship at Kadavul Hindu Temple make a reservation here FRONT GROUNDS ARE OPEN DAILY FROM 9AM to 12PM WITHOUT A RESERVATION

Kauai's Hindu Monastery

Virtual tours, take a walk in cyberspace through our beautiful monastery and temple grounds..

Kauai's Hindu Monastery is the home of monks dedicating their life to the spiritual path. The Monastery grounds span over 51 acres, landscaped for a sublime journey. Virtually tour the monastery and these uplifting grounds and plan your visit soon.

Take a look around our monastery

Our two temples, our majestic nature setting and unusual garden wonders, short introductory film.

A View From Above

Welcome to Virtual Visit to Indian Pilgrimage

Explore the rich cultural and religious heritage of India with our virtual pilgrimage experience. Visit some of the most sacred and revered places of worship without leaving the comfort of your home.

Pilgrimage Places

VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGES INDIA FREE PREVIEW SHOW

Welcome to our first Virtual Pilgrimage in India, the motherland of bhakti. With Paramahamsa Vishwananda as our guide, we will travel to West Bengal to visit the Divine Mother. Then, we will head west to Pandharpur to meet the Vikari saints and Lord Vitthala. We will conclude our adventure in Vrindavan, where you will walk in the footsteps of the gopis and meet the great saints of Vraj.

WELCOME TO THE PREVIEW SHOW

ENJOY YOUR VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE MAURITIUS MAHA SHIVARATRI 2022

VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE VRINDAVAN

Daily recordings.

Preview Show 14 APRIL

Daily highlights, faq’s & support.

Check below for the answers to our most common questions. For further assistance, please write to us at [email protected] .

I need help!

Due to limited resources, we can only process technical support requests via email.

• Write to us [email protected]
• Emails will be answered between 10:00 – 18:30 Germany time.
• Please be patient, we will get back to you as soon as we can.

NOTE: Please respect this procedure and do not try to bypass it by writing to residents, swamis or Guruji. They will not be able to help you and it just slows down the process.

How do I get interpretation?

Thanks to new technology, we are now able to provide live interpretation directly through the Virtual Portal. This means Zoom is no longer needed!

• To select your language, click on the headphone icon in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.
• Available Languages: Czech/Slovak, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish.
• This technology also allows us to provide translation on all videos as soon as they are uploaded.

How do I know when things are happening?

There are two ways to get news about what is happening.

• Join the Telegram Channel: India 2022: West Bengal - Pandharpur Virtual Pilgrimage (It is not required)
• Log into the Portal, there you can find the “Next Go Live” time in the upper left-hand corner of the page.
• Please DO NOT SHARE the Telegram or your Portal login details with anyone.

How long will I have access to the videos?

The FULL VPILGRIMAGE - WEST BENGAL, PANDHARPUR and VRINDAVAN Virtual Pilgrimage Portal is available until 4 June 2022. The HALF PILGRIMAGE – VRINDAVAN Virtual Pilgrimage Portal will be open till 4 June 2022 and the HALF PILGRIMAGE - WEST BENGAL and PANDHARPUR will be open till 25 May

• During that time, you will have 24-hour unlimited access to all the videos from this pilgrimage.
• Our new technology also allows gives you immediate access to translations as they will be embedded into all videos as soon as they are uploaded.

Can I share my access with others?

• In a word, no. Just like in a physical pilgrimage, Paramahamsa Vishwananda energetically supports each and every pilgrim individually.
• Since the value of this program extends way beyond the video program, Guruji has asked that participants not share screens, content, links or recordings from this pilgrimage with those you have not paid for the event.

WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU ENJOY THE JOURNEY

• Traveling with and serving Guruji: 3 people
• On-site Video Crew: 3 people
• SPN Crew: Hosts, Video & Website: 7 people
• SPN Online Events / Support Team: 3 people
• Global: 70 worldwide translators

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Please use this Comment section to share your experiences of being on the pilgrimage. It is also a great place to share your Golden Moments along with the insights you gained and lessons you learned. In this way, we can all learn from each other’s wisdom and reflections.

NOTE: Please address all other issues, concerns or problems to our Technical Support Team via email: [email protected] .

Leave a comment

— ‘Keep experimenting with questions, Aditya! So far the pilgrimage looks great! I wish we could have seen the temples that they saw unfortunately the cameras were not allowed. It’s already working on me… I’m dealing with the jealousy of not being there haha’

— ‘Jai Gurudev! Aren’t we blessed to have such TALL cameramen! They get shots over the heads of the crowds, giving us a better view than anybody there!! Amazing to be connected with this while here in Canada with the snow! Much love.’

— ‘Just finished the video. The Golden Moment is just to be able to see our Beloved Guruji and hear His sweet voice. Please dont need to apologize if you think we are not seeing enough or its all crazy. I am so happy just to be able to get online during the live streaming or even when I need to see the video cause I need that beauty sleep here in Fresno, California. Will have to see the viideo tomorrow because it will be Easter tomorrow and MaGoose is hiding Easter Eggs at the cathedral and helping the children to flower a cross. Thank you all for your tremendous work and just know that flexibility is the key word for me. What a fun time to be with Guruji in India in whatever situation He brings about. Many Blessins’

— ‘Calmness in the chaos, as rishi Akash said. A very special day. The satsang of Guruji in the last ashram where He explained the whole essence of the relationship with Kali Ma… What is possible and what is fraught with consequences? And a peaceful beautiful start of the day? The first ashram that’s on the bank of the river? A swami who was looking at us and at the water… Hugging boys by the water… Padukas… Guruji sitting next … And what an amazing guide do they have? Very light, very easy, shining, all directed upwards… Partha’s remembrance of his pilgrimage to Western Bengal with Guruji. The way he told us and what… about his meetings with Kali Ma, in the same place. And how Aditya asked him about his feelings and he said, “Sweetness!” and how is it “sweetness”? Partha could not explain, but everything was reflected on his face … and what that elderly woman who was sorting through the bilva leaves near Kali Ghat Temple said to him? How all that happened… It was like being there at the same time… It is impossible to forget. And then, how they showed the madness of the place, where it was forbidden to shoot KaliGhat Temple? And the guys still carried the camera on at the bottom… Noise, flickering colors, shapes, human feet… Some unimaginable chaos… Maybe that’s how the transformation happens? We saw a lot of things today… Including Guruji in the bus from a very unusual angle, which in ordinary life, we would never see … Thanks for the day!’

— ‘Lovely to feel the atmosphere of India with all the horns, the people, the tuk tuks and the temples. Thank you to Guruji and the whole team who makes this possible.’

— ‘Jai Gurudev! What I like most about all of this is seeing Guruji’s happiness and smile. How contagious! I can´t stop smiling too!’

— ‘Fantastic. I will have to watch the video much later. Its 11:30 am here in Fresno, California. Have to get up early to do seva. Decorating a catherdral with lots and lots of flowers for Easter. Many thanks and Blessings.’

— ‘Thank You. Looking forward to the flexibility. I’m like one of those bendable dolls. Ready to GO! Interesting note, just yesterday I finished reading Stories of Indian Saints which I received last year. But began to read it last month. Didn’t want to put it down and now I see the great Leela of our Beloved was behind it all. Just to get the book was a leela. Ordered from Amazon and waited months no book, Amazon took it off my order page. So I thoujght well guess I won’ be getting it. Then about six week later a package came in the mail all wrapped in strong tape. I thought what on earth is this, I could tell it was a book and when I opened it it was the Saints book that I had forgotten that I had even ordered. hmmmmmm. Such LOVE’

— ‘Aditya Looks very focused in his look May you please ask him what he is focused on Thank you:)’

— ‘Welcome Pilgrims! We are so happy to have you join us. We hope you enjoy the journey. –Much Love from the Virtual Pilgrimage Team’

1-800-206-tour (8687) --> [email protected]

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World Youth Day Lisbon 2022 Organize a Pilgrimage Group

Virtual pilgrimages, “mary got up and hurriedly left” – (lk 1, 39), organize a pilgrimage group.

A Pilgrimage is an act of spiritual devotion that will bring you closer to Jesus. In addition to real live group pilgrimages, 206 Tours offers Virtual Pilgrimages that bring aspects of the prayerful, personal and transformational experience that is Pilgrimage into your own home.

A Virtual Pilgrimage experience is an alternative to travel that is perfect for those who are currently unable to leave their home, or even for those who are just looking for a taste of a Spiritual Journey.

Join our talented guide Rami as he walks in Jesus’ last footsteps in this new FREE Virtual Pilgrimage ; "Holy Week: from Where It Happened" . Be there in spirit as you see the sites from the final days of Jesus’ life, all filmed in March 2021, amid widespread lockdown due to the pandemic. The sites, typically bustling with Pilgrims and tourists, are empty. See these sites like never before – bring the Holy Land into your homes, as you sit back, watch, and feel as though you are on a Holy land Pilgrimage! Learn more https://www.206tours.com/cms/blog/holy-week-virtual-pilgrimage

Virtual Pilgrimages is a festival where young Catholics of the world gather by the thousands to pray, worship Jesus, and encounter the Holy Father. Every three years, a different city is tasked with the privilege of hosting the Pope and the many people who will journey to celebrate with him. Most recently Virtual Pilgrimages was held in Panama City in early 2019. In 2022 Lisbon will have the honor of being the Virtual Pilgrimages host. Virtual Pilgrimages got its start when Pope John Paul II invited the young people of the world to an International Jubilee of Youth on Palm Sunday in St. Peter’s square garnering over 300,000 young people to answer the call. Seeing the huge response, the Holy Father invited them again in 1985 to similar success before announcing the first official Virtual Pilgrimages would be held in 1986. There have been sixteen (16) Virtual Pilgrimagess, each with their own unique themes and focus, while always celebrating love for Christ and humanity. In 2017 in Krakow, Poland, the theme was “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain Mercy” to which almost three million people were in attendance. In 2019, youths gathered in Panama City to observe the theme, “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” It was recently announced that Virtual Pilgrimages 2022 will be celebrated in Lisbon, Portugal. We will continue to provide updates and information on the event as more details are announced and Pilgrimages are arranged. Sign up to receive updates!

Join Us - or Lead your Youth Group to Virtual Pilgrimages!

The more pilgrims you bring, the more Free Trips you receive.

Build community

Nothing brings people together than a common belief and experience.

Assistance with promotion

Custom Flyers and Website to get the word out.

Choice of three (3) Virtual Pilgrimages Pilgrimages. Dates and Prices: Pending Confirmation from Vatican

206 Tours WILL be taking part in Virtual Pilgrimages – 2022 While it is too early to confirm Accommodations, Prices, and Inclusions – it is NOT too early to register on our Wait List

You have a Divine Appointment, and it starts now!

Virtual Pilgrimage to Medjugorje

Join Slavenka, Ivan, and Slavica for our first Virtual Pilgrimage to Medjugorje! On this virtual pilgrimage, you will learn the history of this sacred place, especially with regard to Our Lady's 1981 Apparitions. You will tour local churches and places of prayer as well as "climb" Apparition Hill and visit Cross Mountain, the Blue Cross, the Risen Christ, and more!

Untold Stories About Medjugorje

Join Slavenka as she interviews several locals in Medjugorje to hear their experiences as members of the village who watched as the visionaries witnessed our Lady’s Apparitions. These exclusive interviews cannot be found anywhere else!

A Taste of Medjugorje

Join Slavenka and a local cook in her home kitchen to learn how to cook a local Medjugorje favorite dish!

Host & Guide

Virtual Tours with Slavenka

Slavenka has been a dedicated Medjugorje tour guide with 206 Tours for decades leading thousands of Pilgrims to Holy sites and Experiences. Slavenka, along with her fellow guides, Ivan and Slavica, will take you through Medjugorje’s rich historical and religious past.

Virtual Pilgrimage Offerings

Select one of our Virtual Pilgrimages above to join our waitlist. You will receive an email confirmation with a link and instructions on how to purchase and view the virtual pilgrimage on our Vimeo platform. Refunds are not available on booked Virtual Pilgrimages - for a full list of terms, please visit www.206tours.com/terms/virtualpilgrimage

Custom Virtual Pilgrimage Offerings

Request your own custom experience! Perhaps host a virtual Family Reunion and pray the Rosary "at" Apparition Hill. Host a virtual cocktail party and learn how to cook a local delicacy! Request a custom and private Virtual Tour by emailing [email protected]

Sign Up Today for Wait List!

No Deposits Necessary

Choose your “Type” of Group Leader

At the present time, the Vatican has only confirmed “Where” (Lisbon) and “When” (the year 2023). There a many key points that have not been finalized, which we need in order to offer pricing, including the exact Dates, Location of Events (specific sites for Events), and WYD Package Inclusions/Costs. For the time being, we can tell you that we have made the following updates: - Itinerary Options: We will be offering a three (3) itineraries to choose from (as noted above.) - Sample Day by Day Itineraries and Inclusions: All of this can be viewed by visiting the Tour Websites above. - For those who are interested in becoming Group Leaders, will receive: Paperless - Proposal, Updated Invoices, and Promotional Material (Website and One-Page Flyer) An Account Manager to assist with bookings and answer all questions Virtual Pilgrimages Youth Liability and Health Waiver Form

NEW Pilgrimage Promoter

Supply us with:.

Select a Pilgrimage: Tour 1 - 226 Select a Departure Date from that Tour

1 FREE Trip in each 10 Fully Paid Passengers (No Minimum of Registrations Required)

*For NEW Group Leaders, First Time Promoters, Groups without a Priest, and Groups less than 20 Pilgrims

EXPERIENCED Group Leader

Destination(s), Dates of Departure, Special Requests, and Priest Name

Choice of FREE Trip / Commission or Custom (Requirement: Guarantee of 25 or more Pilgrims)

*For EXPERIENCED Group Leaders, Clergy, Church or Diocesan Officials, Organizations or Families

Ideas on HOW to Promote

Interested in some NEW ways to promote your pilgrimage, helping you to maximize your bookings?

Why YOU should lead a Group?

Not sure if you have what it takes? We believe in you, and here are some reasons why!

Hosting a Group Meeting

Benefits of hosting a Meeting before you depart for your Pilgrimage

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30 Best Pilgrimage Sites in India

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1. Varanasi

At a distance of 125 km from Allahabad, 163 km from Aurangabad, 208 km from Gorakhpur, 239 km from Rewa, 250 km from Patna, 258 km from Gaya, 321 km from Lucknow, and 327 km from Kanpur, Varanasi is an ancient city located on the banks of river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one among the most revered places of Pilgrimage in India and also one of the best places to visit in Uttar Pradesh . Also known as Kashi and Banaras, the city gets its name from two rivers Varuna and Assi. Nicknamed as the cultural capital of India, Varanasi was the seat of learning in the past. Legend has it that Lord Shiva himself established this holy city as his abode. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga sites in India and also one of the Shakti Peethas. Varanasi is an important destination among Hindus as they believe those who die in Varanasi will attain salvation. Varanasi is also a preferred site for immersing ashes of the dead in river Ganga. Performing funeral rites and cremation in the pyres are the common sights here. The holy city of Varanasi is more than 3000 years old and is one of the oldest living cities of the world. The early settlements around Varanasi began in the 18th century BC according to archaeological evidence. During the time of Gautama Buddha, the city of Varanasi was the capital of the Kashi Kingdom. Lord Buddha is believed to have founded Buddhism here around 528 BCE when he gave his first sermon at nearby Sarnath. ...

2. Haridwar

Haridwar, or Hardwar is an ancient religious city in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. About 192 km from Chandigarh, and 208 km from Delhi, it is one of the must include places in Uttarakhand tour packages , and among the prominent pilgrimage sites near Delhi . Situated on the banks of the River Ganges, Haridwar, literally translated as Gateway to God, is one of the seven holiest places for Hindus. It is the place where the river Ganga descends to the plains. It serves as a gateway to the Char Dham destinations of Uttarakhand which are Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Haridwar is also one of the well known places to visit near Chandigarh . Har-ki-Pauri is one of the most important Haridwar places to visit where thousands of people take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges. Chandi Devi Temple, Mansa Devi Temple at Bilwa Parvat, Vaishno Devi Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Maya Devi Temple, Bhimgoda, Shanti Kunj, Sapt Sarovar, Triveni Ghat, Kanva Rishi Ashram, Chila Wildlife Sanctuary are the other placesto visit as part of Haridwar packages . Haridwar is one of the venues for the famous Kumbh Mela which takes place once every 12 ...

Shirdi is a pilgrimage town located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. About 180 km from Pune, and 258 km from Mumbai, this is one of the popular places pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the best places to visit near Aurangabad . Shirdi is home to the shrine of Shirdi Sai Baba, the star attractions of Shirdi Tour . Sai Baba, who belonged to the 20th century, is known as one of the greatest saints of India. Sai Baba visited Shirdi when he was 16 years old and stayed there until he died in 1918. Shirdi is the place where he attained his 'Samadhi' or final abode. This is one of the must include places in Maharashtra holiday packages . The Shirdi temple complex covers an area of about 200 square meters. It includes Gurusthan, Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai, Chavadi, and Lendi Baug. Shirdi Temple is one of the richest temples in India with estimated donations of INR 4 billion per annum. Maruti Temple, Khandoba Mandir, Sai Heritage Village, Shanisinghnapur, and Nashik are the other Shirdi places to visit .

4. Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Tamilnadu as well as in India. Situated at a distance of 562 km from Chennai, the town is home to the famous Rameshwaram Temple, among the must include places in Tamilnadu Tour Packages . Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Rameshwaram Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga temples in India, and is one of the top attractions you must visit as part of Rameshwaram tour packages . It is significant for Hindus as a pilgrimage to Banaras is incomplete without a Pilgrimage to Rameswaram. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. Rameswaram along with Dwarka, Puri and Badrinath form the four Char Dhams. Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agnitheertham, Gandamadana Parvatham, Dhanushkodi , Kothandaraswamy Temple and Erwadi are some of the most visited attractions of Rameshwaram. Sri Ramanatha Swamy Temple is renowned for its magnificent corridors and massive sculptured pillars. The third corridor of Ramanathaswamy temple is the longest one in the world.

5. Rishikesh

Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is a holy city on the banks of the River Ganges in Uttarakhand. It is one of the top pilgrimage sites near Delhi , and among the prominent places to visit in Uttarakhand . It is about 42 km from Dehradun, 201 km from Chandigarh, and 233 km from Delhi. Rishikesh is the gateway to the upper Garhwal region and the starting point for the Char Dham pilgrimage (Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath). Rishikesh is one of the the best places to visit near Chandigarh . Rishikesh has several famous ashrams and temples. Triveni Ghat, Neel Kanth Mahadev Temple, Swarganiwas Temple, and Bharat Mandir are the important Rishikesh places to visit . Rishikesh is now famous as the Yoga Capital of the World. Every year during the February month one-week-long International Yoga Festival is hosted here. One can also try several activities like mountain biking, bungee jumping, and white water rafting as part of Rishikesh packages . It is also the base for several trekking trails in Uttarakhand state. Rishikesh can also be visited along with Haridwar tour packages .

Situated on the banks of the River Vaigai, Madurai is the third-largest city in Tamilnadu and one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in India . The city is situated about 209 km from Coimbatore and 464 km from Chennai. Also referred to as Athens of the East, Madhurai is the oldest continually inhabited city in the Indian peninsula, with a history dating back to the Sangam period of the pre-Christian era. Madurai was the seat of power of the Pandyan Empire. Often considered the cultural capital of Tamilnadu, Madurai is one of the top places to visit in tamilnadu . The city is very well known for Madurai Meenakshi Temple, among the most visited temple in South India tour packages . Meenakshi Temple, also known as Madurai Meenakshi, is the biggest landmark of Madurai and is one of the largest temples in India. The temple has stunning architecture and a significant testimony for Vishwakarma Brahmins for their master architecture in sculpting this temple. Along with Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal & Koodal Alagar Temple are other important places to visit as part of Madurai tour packages .

Gokarna is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in Karnataka , and among the top places to visit as part of Karnataka tour packages . It is about 514 km from Bangalore. Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple which houses the Atmalinga is one of the must-visit places as part of Gokarna holiday packages . Gokarna is considered to be the Mukti Stala, where Hindus perform funeral rites. Gokarna is also home to some of the best beaches in Karnataka including Om Beach, Kudle Beach, Gokarna Beach. Among the beaches in Gokarna, the Om Beach is extremely popular among surfers. The beach gets its name due to the natural formation of the holy Om symbol. Explore our Gokarna Travel Guide for complete details on Gokarna. Gokarna can also be visited along with Dandeli tour packages .

8. Murudeshwar

Murudeshwar is one of the most famous places to visit in Karnataka and among the popular places of pilgrimage in Karnataka . It is about 162 km from Mangalore & 497 km from Bangalore. Murudeshwar is the abode of Lord Shiva. The temple town is famous for the world's second tallest Shiva statue (123 ft) & tallest temple tower (249 feet). The sea on three sides surrounds the Murudeshwar Temple towering on the small hill called Kanduka Giri. This is a great place to watch the sunset. Murdeshwar Beach, Kollur Temple are popular sites to visit as part of Murudeshwar holiday packages . Gokarna, Karwar, Kollur, Udupi, Jog Falls, Sirsi & Sringeri are the nearby attractions. Maha Shivaratri during February is the important festival celebrated here with much devotion and religious rituals. The best time to visit Murudeshwar is from November to February. Murudeshwar can also be visited along with Gokarna packages . Explore our Murudeshwar Travel Guide for complete details on the beautiful and sacred placce.

Udupi is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Karnataka, and among the top places to visit near Mangalore . Located between the verdant mountains of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Udupi is the land of breathtaking beauty. It is about 59 km from Mangalore, and 403 km from the city of Bangalore. Udupi is famous for Sri Krishna Temple which attracts pilgrims from all over India. This temple has a fascinating idol of Lord Krishna that is richly adorned with jewels. Apart from the temple, Malpe Beach, Kaup Beach & St Mary's Island are the top places to visit as part of Udupi holiday packages . Udupi can also be visited along with Murudeshwar packages . It is also the source of renowned Udupi cuisine, which is served all over India in the efficiently-run Udupi restaurants, famous for dosas, idlis and other snacks. The tradition of this cuisine started in the great kitchens of the Krishna Temple which serve meals in the form of prasad to the thousands of devotees who come to pray at the holy shrine. Explore our Udupi Travel Guide for complete details on the holy shrine.

10. Amritsar

At a distance of 82 km from Jalandhar, 140 km from Ludhiana, 240 km from Chandigarh, 207 km from Dalhousie, 244 km from Patiala, 366 km from Shimla, 443 km from Srinagar and 466 km from New Delhi Amritsar is an ancient pilgrimage town and headquarters of Amritsar district in Punjab state. It is the most popular Sikh shrine in Punjab and also one of the top places of pilgrimage in India. Amritsar literally means 'the pool of nectar'. The name Amritsar is derived from Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank that surrounds the marvelous Golden Temple. The town of Amritsar was founded in 1577 CE by Guru Ram Das, the 4th Sikh guru and the village was named as Ram Das Pura after him. Amritsar is the place where the tragic episode of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place under the British rule. It also witnessed Operation Blue Star in 1984 under the late prime minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi. Amritsar is world famous for its Golden Temple, the seat of Sikh religion. Also known as Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple in Amritsar is famous for its full golden dome and is one of the most popular places of pilgrimage in Punjab. Jallianwallah Bagh, Durgiana Temple, Gobindgarh Fort, Central Sikh Museum, Maharaja Ranjith Singh Museum, and Wagah Border are the other popular places to visit in Amritsar.   There are many fairs and festivals celebrated in Amritsar. One of the most famous festivals of Amritsar is Guru Nanak Jayanti held in the month of October/November. Lohri ...

11. Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram or Kanchi is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in Tamilnadu . It is situated at a distance of 75 km from Chennai. It is one of the most popular places to visit near Chennai . Located on the bank of the Palar River, Kanchipuram is one of the oldest cities in India and was served as the capital of the Pallava Dynasty. Kanchi is known for its temples and silk sarees which are woven manually. Kamakshi Amman Temple is the landmark of Kanchipuram, and among the most popular places to visit in Kanchipuram . Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Karchapeshwarar Temple, Sri Ekambarnathar Temple are the other prominent temples to visit as part of Kanchipuram tour packages . The temples of Kanchipuram are known for their grandeur and great architecture. Kanchipuram is a traditional center of silk weaving and handloom industries for producing Kanchipuram Sarees. In 2005, 'Kanchipuram Silk Sarees' received the Geographical Indication tag, the first product in India to carry this label.

12. Kanyakumari

Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, Kanyakumari is one of the famous pilgrimage places to visit as part of Tamilnadu tour . It is about 242 km from Madurai and 707 km from Chennai. A place of great natural beauty, Kanyakumari is one of the popular href='/tamilnadu/best' target='_blank'>Tamilnadu Tourist Places . Swami Vivekananda is said to have been lived here for a while and meditated. Situated at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean, this is the only place in India where one can enjoy the unique spectacle of Sunset and Moonrise simultaneously on full moon days. One of the main attractions in Kanyakumari is the Kumariamman Temple . Thiruvalluvar Statue, Vivekananda Rock Memorial , Gandhi Memorial, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Suchindram, Pechiparai Reservoir, Vattakottai Fort, St Xavier's Church and Udayagiri Fort are some of the top places to visit as part of Kanyakumari tour packages . Kanyakumari is also known for its spectacular beaches. Thengapattinam Beach, Sanguthurai Beach, and Chothavilai Beach are the important beaches near Kanyakumari.

13. Mathura

At a distance of 56 km from Agra, 159 km from Delhi, 419 km from Lucknow and 224 km from Jaipur, Mathura is an ancient city and also the district headquarters of Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Mathura is one of the popular tourist places near Agra and also one of the best places to visit near Delhi . Mathura is one of the seven cities (Sapta Puri) considered holy by Hindus, the other six are Ayodhya, Haridwar, Varanasi, Kanchipuram, Ujjain and Dwarka. Mathura has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India. Mathura is also one of the popular Delhi weekend getaways for 2 day trip. Mathura is located at the banks of river Yamuna and is popularly known as the Brajbhoomi, the sacred land of Lord Krishna. The Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple is home to a prison cell called Garbha Griha that is believed to be the exact birthplace of Krishna. Large number of devotees visit this temple every year on Janmashtami. The city of Mathura has a rich history. In the traditional times, Mathura was an important point of culture and civilization. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, the city is mentioned in the epic, Ramayana. In the epic, the Ikshwaku prince Shatrughna slays a demon called Lavanasura and claims the land. ...

14. Chidambaram

Chidambaram is a pilgrimage town in Tamil Nadu. Well known for Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram temple is one of the most celebrated shrines in South India and also one of the famous Tamilnadu places to visit . It is about 66 km from Pondicherry, and 217 km from Chennai. Also known as Thillai, the town is known for the Thillai Nataraja Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built during the 11th century, Chidambaram Nataraja Temple has a great religious as well as historic and cultural significance. This is one of the Panchabhoota Stalas signifying the five elements of wind (Kalahasti), water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai), earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram). Thillai Kaali Amman Temple, Pichavaram , Sattanathar Temple, Bhuvanagiri, Parangipettai, Annamalai University, Kollidam (river) and Poompuhar are the other prominent places to visit as part of Chidambaram tour packages . Brahmotsavam, Ani Thirumanjanam, Thai Poosam and Arudra Dharshan are some of the Nataraja Temple festivals that attract large crowds from far and nearby places. Natyanjali Dance Festival is a major festival held in February. Many eminent dancers give their performances during this festival.

15. Vrindavan

At a distance of 13 km from Mathura, 70 km from Agra, 155 km from Delhi, 400 km from Lucknow and 235 km from Jaipur, Vrindavan is a holy town situated on the banks of Yamuna River in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. It is also among the sacred places to visit near Delhi for a 2 day weekend trip and also one of the popular places to visit near Agra . Vrindavan is a major pilgrimage center for the Hindus and one of the oldest cities in the country. The holy town of Vrindavan has a very rich history associated with the Hindu god Lord Krishna. It is said to be the place where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a great devotee of Lord Krishna is credited with rediscovering of Vrindavan. The place was later developed by various kings of the region. The name Vrindavan is derived from the words vrinda meaning tulsi (or basil) and van meaning grove and most likely refers to the two small groves at Nidhivan and Seva Kunj. While Seva Kunj is believed to be the place where Krishna performed Raaslila with Radha and the Gopikas, Nidhivan is said to be the place where the divine couple rested. The place is also one of the Shaktipeeths, named Bhuteshwar Mahadev. The place is believed to have been the site where the hair of Devi Sati fell. Vrindavan is also one of the most prominent sites for ISKCON, ...

Nashik or Nasik is the third-largest city by population in Maharashtra. Situated about 182 km from Mumbai, and 211 km from Pune, it is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra , and among the famous places to visit near Mumbai . Situated at an altitude of 700 m, Nashik is famous for its numerous temples that can be visited as part of Nashik Tour Packages . Panchavati, Someshwar, Ram Kund, Muktidham Temple, Coin Museum, Pandavleni Caves, Sinnar, Anjaneri, and Trimbakeshwar are some of the popular places to visit in Nashik . Nashik also holds Kumbha Mela, the largest religious gathering held once every 12 years. A large number of pilgrims, sadhus, and holy men attend this magnificent fair and take bath in the holy river Godavari. Apart from its religious importance, Nashik has numerous vineyards that dot the countryside and is known as the wine capital of India. Nashik can be visited along with Shirdi Tour Packages .

17. Tirupati

At a distance of 71 km from Chittoor, 413 km from Vijayawada, 556 km from Hyderabad, 763 km from Vizag, 134 km from Chennai and 259 km from Bangalore, Tirupati is a pilgrimage city in the extreme southeast of Andhra Pradesh in Chittoor district. It is often referred as a synonym to Tirumala (called as Tirumala Tirupati), which is a sacred temple town famous for Sri Venkateswara Temple also known as Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple. Tirupati along with Chandragiri is an ideal Chennai getaways for a two day trip and also one of the top Andhra Pradesh tourist places . Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage sites in India. Tirumala, the home of Lord Venkateswara is at a distance of 22 km from Tirupati. However, Tirupati is the town and transport hub to Tirumala at the bottom of the hill. The initial temple at Tirumala was built by the Tamil king Thondaimaan. The Pallavas of Kanchipuram (9th century), Cholas of Tanjore (10th century), Pandyas of Mathura and Vijayanagara Kings (14th & 15th centuries) regularly visited the temple and contributed largely to the temple. Especially, Sri Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagara Empire contributed a lot to the temple. Now the temple is under the maintenance of TTD. Spread over an area of 450 sq. km, Tirupati offers a magnificent ...

18. Thanjavur

Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore, is one of the popular places of href='/tamilnadu/heritage' target='_blank'>heritage in Tamilnadu as it has a rich historical heritage and is a prism of ancient as well as the modern south Indian civilizations. It is situated about 170 km from Madurai, and 326 km from Chennai. Situated on the banks of River Cauvery, it is one of the top places to visit as part of Madurai tour packages . The city was once the stronghold of the historic Cholas. Since then, Thanjavur has been one of the chief political, cultural and religious centers of South India. Thanjavur is famous for the Brihadeeswarar Temple built by Rajaraja Chola in the year 1010 AD. Also known as the Big Temple, Brihadeeswarar Temple is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and among the most important heritage sites in India. The temple is considered to be one of the best specimens of South Indian temple architecture and among the must-visit places as part of Thanjavur tour packages . Apart from Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur and the surrounding areas have several important tourist attractions like Thanjavur Palace, Kumbakonam , Darasuram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Thiruvaiyaru, Thirubuvanam, etc.

19. Ganpatipule

Ganpatipule is a small pilgrimage & beach town on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra in India. About 307 km from Pune, and 345 km from Mumbai, it is one of the top places to visit near Kolhapur , and among the must include places in Maharashtra packages . Ganpatipule is mainly known for its 400 years old Ganapati Temple which is the prime attraction in Ganpatipule holiday packages . The idol of Ganesha is believed to be a monolith that was self-incarnated and discovered over 1600 years ago. It is one of the Ashta Ganapati Temples of India and is known as 'Paschim Dwar Devata'. The temple is at the base of a hill, and pilgrims walk around (pradakshina) the hill as a mark of respect. Ganpatipule can be visited as a day trip along with Mahabaleshwar tour packages . Besides, Ganpatipule has some of the most spectacular beaches that can be visited along with Konkan packages . It is an ideal getaway that attracts peace-seekers, beach lovers, and pilgrims alike. Jaigad Fort, Prachin Konkan Museum, Arey Ware Beach, Guhagar Beach, and Velneshwar are the other prominent places to visit in Ganpatipule .

20. Kedarnath

At a distance of 224 km from Rishikesh, 264 km from Dehradun and 439 km from Delhi, Kedarnath is a town and a famous center of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand situated in Rudraprayag district. Kedarnath is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus and is one of the four major Places to visit in Uttarakhand known as Chota Char Dham pilgrimage that also includes Badrinath , Gangotri and Yamunotri . It lies at an altitude of 3584 m near Chorabari Glacier, the head of river Mandakini. It is the most remote of the four Char Dham sites and is flanked by breathtaking snow-clad peaks. Kedarnath is named after King Kedar. According to a mythology, King Kedar ruled Kedarnath during the Satya Yuga. It is believed that the temple existed even during the time of Mahabharata. It is the place where Lord Shiva absolved Pandavas from the sin of killing their own cousins Kauravas in the battle of Kurukshetra. The famous Kedarnath temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is thronged by thousands of tourists each year. Other than Kedarnath temple, Bhairavnath temple, Chorabari Tal, Shankaracharya Samadhi and Hans Kund are the some other religious places near Kedarnath. Kedarnath temple is a major tourist attraction and pilgrims book their hotels way in advance. Rooms in budget hotels and dharamshalas are available under Rs 500 ...

21. Badrinath

At a distance of 293 km from Rishikesh, 335 km from Dehradun and 523 km from Delhi, Badrinath is an ancient holy town in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It lies at an altitude of 3133 m in the Garhwal Himalayan ranges along the banks of River Alaknanda near India - Tibet border. It is one of the most famous centers of pilgrimage in India and also one of the most popular Uttarakhand places to visit as part of Char Dham. Badrinath is the most important of the four sites of famous Char Dham pilgrimage; the other three being Puri, Dwarka and Rameshwaram . It is also visited as part of Chota Char Dham Pilgrimage along with Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri in Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by Nar and Narayana mountain ranges and the Nilkantha peak, Badrinath has great mythical significance. This holy town is mentioned as Badari or Badarikashram in many ancient texts and scriptures. According to the epic Mahabharata, Badrinath is the site where Nara and Narayana, the dual forms of Vishnu, did meditation. It is also believed that the Pandavas passed through Badrinath on their way to heaven. Legend has it that Sage Vyasa authored Mahabharata at a cave in Mana, which is about 4 km from Badrinath. Badrinath is ...

22. Srisailam

At a distance of 160 km from Nandyal, 181 km from Kurnool, 229 km from Hyderabad, 263 km from Vijayawada and 527 km from Bangalore, Srisailam is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva situated on the banks of River Krishna in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the most important pilgrimage centers of Lord Shiva in India and also one of the top Places to visit in Andhra . Srisailam is also one of the most popular weekend getaways from Hyderabad. Srisailam is famous for Srisailam Dam & Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The sanctum enshrines Lord Mallikarjuna in the form of a linga protected by a three-hooded cobra. This ancient temple built in the Dravidian style with lofty towers and sprawling courtyards is one of the finest specimens of Vijayanagara architecture. Though the exact origins of the temple are not available, the Satavahanas of the 2nd century AD have referred to it. The Kakatiyas and the Vijayanagara kings have made several endowments here. The unique feature of this kshetram is the combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi (in the form of Bhramarambika) in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind. The great religious leader Aadi Sankara is said to have visited this shrine and composed his immortal Sivananda Lahiri here. Srisailam is ...

23. Kumbakonam

Kumbakonam is an ancient temple town located amidst the two rivers Cauvery and Arasalar in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. About 235 km from Madurai, and 282 km from Chennai, it is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in Tamilnadu , and among the popular places to visit near Chennai . Kumbakonam is known for its temples and mutts (monasteries). There are around 188 Hindu temples within the municipal limits of Kumbakonam. Adi Kumbeswarar Temple , Nageswaraswamy temple and Kasi Viswanathar temple are the prominent temples to visit as part of Kumbakonam tour packages . Sarangapani temple is the largest Vaishnava shrine present in Kumbakonam. Patteeswaram, the Oppiliappan Kovil, the Swamimalai Murugan temple and the Airavateeswarar Temple are the other temples located in the vicinity of Kumbakonam. The town is well - known for its prestigious educational institutions and carved Panchaloha idols, silk products, brass, and metal wares. The important festival of Kumbakonam is the Mahamaham festival. It takes place once in 12 years during the Tamil Month of Masi (February/March) and lakhs of pilgrims visit Kumbakonam and takes a holy bath in the sacred Mahamaham Tank.

24. Sabarimala

Sabarimala is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in Kerala . Situated about 70 km from Pathanamthitta, this temple is one of the oldest temples in India, with a history of more than 5000 years old. Regarded as one of the popular places to visit in Kerala , Sabarimala temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, and is believed that Lord Parasurama installed the idol of Ayyappa here. The pilgrimage season begins in the month of November and ends in January (the temple remains closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of each Malayalam month). The devotees following Ayyappa Vratam (Ayyappa Maala - a 41 days Vratam with strict restrictions) carry Irumudi Kettu containing traditional offerings to the Lord. Mandalapooja (Nov17th) and Makaravilakku (Jan 14th) are the important events of the temple. Makara Jyothi (a celestial star) appeared on Jan 14th is the most crowded occasion of this temple that one must witness as part of Sabarimala packages . Sabarimala temple has no restrictions on caste and religion. The temple is open to males of all age groups, but women between 10-50 years of age are NOT allowed into the temple. Pamba, Erumeli, and Malikappurathu Amma Temple are some other Sabarimala places to visit .

25. Shravanabelagola

Shravanabelagola is one of the most popular Jain places of pilgrimage in Karnataka . About 83 km from Mysore, and 140 km from Bangalore, it is one of the popular places to visit near Bangalore . Shravanabelagola is famous for the Bahubali Statue, among the must include places in Shravanabelagola tour packages . With a height of 58 feet carved out of a single block of granite, the statue is supposed to be the tallest monolithic stone statue in the world. Gomateswara temple, Odegal Basadi, Tyagada Kamba, Siddhara Basadi, Chennanna Basadi, Akhanda Bagilu, Chamundaraya Basadi, Chandragupta Basadi, Chandraprabha Basadi, Kattale Basadi, and Parshwanatha Basadi are important places to visit in Shravanabelagola . Once in 12 years, Shravanabelagola celebrates the Mahamastakabhisheka festival which attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from all over India. Shravanabelagola can also be visited along with Mysore tour packages .

Ajmer or Ajmere is one of the popular pilgrimage sites near Delhi , and among the most important religious places to visit in Rajasthan . It is situated about 132 km from Jaipur, and 390 km from Delhi. Ajmer is can be visited along with Jaipur tour packages . The city of Ajmer gets its name from 'Ajay Meru' which means invincible hills. Ajmer is home to the famous Dargah Sharif, which houses the Tomb of Garib Nawaz, also known as Moinuddin Chishti, the founder of the Chishti order of Sufism. Considered to be one of the holiest cities in India, it attracts hordes of Hindu and Muslim devotees every year as part of Ajmer packages . Anasagar, Taragarh Fort, Akbar Palace & Museum, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, the Nasiyan Temple, Nareli Jain temple, and Kishangarh are other popular tourist places in Ajmer . Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is the popular fair celebrated with great pomp and fervor in Ajmer. It is held every year in the month of May to mark the death anniversary of the Sufi saint.

27. Somnath

Somnath is a temple town situated in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. Also known as Prabhas Patan, it is one of the most important places of pilgrimage in India, and among the prominent places to visit in Gujarat . It is about 197 km from Rajkot, and 408 km from Ahmedabad. The town of Somnath is famous for the Somnath Temple, among the must include places in Somnath packages . Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is one among the twelve prominent Jyotirlinga shrines and also one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Gujarat. Somnath Beach, Gita Mandir, Bhalka Tirtha, Rudreshwara Temple, Triveni Sangam Temple, Suraj Mandir, Parshuram Temple, Kamnath Mahadev Temple, Junagadh Gate, Somnath Museum, Panch Pandav Gufa are some other tourist places in Somnath . Somnath Mahadev Fair which is held on Kartik Purnima and Maha Shivaratri are the two major festivals celebrated in Somnath with great pomp and fervor. The temple town witnesses a huge number of tourists from various parts of the country during these festivals.

At a distance of 36 km from Konark, 58 km from Bhubaneswar, 82 km from Cuttack, 390 km from Rourkela, 407 km from Jamshedpur, 434 km from Vizag, 495 km from Kolkata, and 522 km from Ranchi, Puri is an ancient temple town situated along the coast of Bay of Bengal in Odisha. Puri is one of the places of original holy Char Dham Yatra of Hinduism and also one of the top places to experience Odisha Tourism. Earlier called as ShriKhetra, Purushottama Khetra, and Jagannath Puri, Puri is home to the world famous Sri Jagannath Temple. Often referred as the spiritual capital of Odisha, Puri forms the Golden Triangle of Orissa along with Konark and Bhubaneswar. Puri became an important center of pilgrimage with the arrival of Gangas in the 12th century and emerged as one of the centers of Vaishnavism. Anantavarman Chodaganga, one of the powerful rulers of Puri, established the Purushottama Temple and later came to be known as the Jagannath Temple in the 15th century. According to history, Puri and the Jagannath Temple were invaded 18 times by Hindu and Muslim rulers from 4th century AD till the early 19th century. Puri was declared as the capital of Odisha under the British till 1816 CE. In 1828 CE the whole territory was separated into three regions, Katak, Balasore, and Jagannath Puri. In 1936 CE Odisha was divided from the state of Bihar and Puri was formed in 1948 CE. Dedicated Lord Vishnu, Lord Jagannath Temple is one of the prime places to visit in Puri and is a ...

29. Khajuraho

At a distance of 47 km from Chhatarpur, 118 km from Satna, 179 km from Jhansi, 223 km from Kanpur, 265 km from Jabalpur, 283 km from Gwalior, 283 km from Allahabad, 388 km from Bhopal and 624 km from Delhi, Khajuraho is a historical town located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho is one of the top places to visit in Madhya Pradesh and among the must include places in your Madhya Pradesh tour packages . Earlier, Khajuraho was the cultural capital of Chandela Rajputs who ruled this part of India during 10th to 12th centuries AD. Khajuraho Temples were built by the Chandela monarchs over a span of 200 years, from 950 to 1150 AD. After the fall of Chandela rulers, these temples were abandoned and long-forgotten until rediscovered by British Captain T.S. Burt, in 1838 AD. Known around the world for its stunning temples adorned by erotic carvings, the Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. The marvelous architecture and erotic carvings are the best and most notable aspects of Khajuraho temples. There were originally over 80 Hindu temples, of which only 25 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered over an area of about 8 square miles. The temples also have numerous other sculptures depicting the life of a common man in that era. Khajuraho ...

Dwarka is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites near Rajkot , and among the best places to visit in Gujarat . It is about 224 km from Rajkot, and 442 km from Ahmedabad. Located on the western tip of the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat, Dwarka is popularly known as the 'home of Lord Krishna' and is believed to have been the first capital of Gujarat. Also, Dwarka is one of the foremost Char Dhams for Hindus and among the seven most ancient religious cities (sapta puris) in India. For this reason, the town attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year as part of Dwarka packages . The present-day Dwarka is a prominent pilgrimage site that boasts of several shrines. Among the temples, the 2000-year-old Dwarkadhish temple is the most notable one. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Gomti Ghat, Rukmani Devi Temple, Beyt Dwarka, Gopi Talav, Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir, Swaminarayan Temple, Dwarka Beach, Shivrajpur Beach, and Okhamadhi Beach are some of the important tourist places in Dwarka . If you specifically want to participate in the grand festivities of the Janmashtami festival, visiting the town during August and September will be eventful.

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Travel guide: information on popular upcoming indian pilgrimage travel in 2024.

India is a land enriched with spirituality, being blessed with the existence of millions of Gods and Goddesses, each known by their own myths and legends. Harvesting several religious beliefs, and planting a sense of belonging in everyone, India is a religious nation. Every year, thousands of people travel to India in search of a sense of peace and enlightenment, to attain a way to become one with God.

With the country being home to several major religions, there are many pilgrimage sites that remain holding a different story. Religion being such a major part of the lives of the people, pilgrimage travel in India is responsible for attracting numerous devotees to these pilgrimage centers spread throughout the country. Some of the popular pilgrimages undertaken in India include the Chardham Yatra of the temples of Uttarakhand, Amarnath Yatra to the cave temple in Jammu and Kashmir, Panch Kedar Yatra to the five prominent Shiva temples, and the Adi Kailash Yatra located along the Indo-Tibetan border. Follow along to find out more about India’s pilgrimage travel destinations, how to reach them, and when to visit to make the most of your sacred journey.

Check out:   All Inclusive India Pilgrimage Tour Packages

India’s top pilgrimage tours in 2024 to explore Indian mythology revolving around different religious beliefs.

• Char Dham Yatra
• Puri Rath Yatra
• Hemkund Sahib Yatra
• Amarnath Yatra

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

• Vaishno Devi Yatra
• 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra
• Pandharpur Palki Yatra
• Srikhand Mahadev Yatra
• Navagraha Yatra

Nav Durga Devi Yatra

• Panch Kedar Yatra

Adi Kailash Yatra

Kinnaur kailash yatra, manimahesh kailash yatra.

Recommended Tour Packages

• Chardham Yatra Package
• 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Package
• Hemkund Sahib Yatra Package

Char Dham Yatra (Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand)

No information about Indian pilgrimage tour is complete without introducing Char Dham Yatra. Char Dham, which literally means four holy abodes of Hindu sect, are more than just shrines.

They are the means to relive your inner self and get close to the untouched natural beauty. Snow-clad mountains, lush green valleys, challenging paths and freezing temperature accompany you in this sacred expedition that starts from Yamunotri and ends at Badrinath .

Basically, Char Dham Yatra mainly refers to the spiritual journey to Badrinath, Puri, Rameshwaram and Dwarka Dhams, covering all north, east, south and west regions of India. But with the passage of time, the four holy shrines of Uttarakhand (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath) have been termed as Chota Char Dham or as Char Dham of Uttarakhand. Char Dham Yatra has always remained one of the top pilgrimages in India.

How to Reach?

It is quite easy to reach Haridwar as it is a major railhead that provides connectivity to various locations of Uttarakhand. Haridwar is also served by a good network of bus service and is located at about 200 km from Delhi.

Yatra Route: Delhi – Haridwar – Barkot – Yamunotri – Barkot – Naitala – Gangotri – Naitala – Sitapur – Kedarnath – Sitapur – Badrinath – Rudraprayag – Rishikesh – Haridwar – Delhi

Char Dham Yatra 2024: The yatra will commence on 10 th May, 24 and the closing date is tentatively decided as November, 24.

Other Interesting Blogs to Read

• Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter: Info on How to Book Online, Tour Packages and Travel Tips
• Online/Offline Char Dham Yatra Registration
• Char Dham Opening & Closing Dates

Puri Rath Yatra, Odisha

Puri Rath Yatra in Odisha is one among the most awaited festivities in the country. It is an annual celebration that witnesses around a million devotees and visitors from all the corners of the world. Devoted to Lord Jagannath (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu), the event is one of the biggest and oldest Hindu festivals in India.

Also known as the “Chariot Festival”, Rath Yatra is marked on Ashad Shukla Dwitiya (second day in the bright fortnight of Ashad month). The main attraction is the procession of three wooden chariots, namely, Nandighosa, Taladhwaja and Devadalana bearing the deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra (the elder brother of Jagannath) and Subhadra (their sister) respectively. This street procession gives even those people a chance to seek blessings of the deities who are forbidden to enter Jagannath Temple.

Jagannath Temple is one among the four holy shrines of Chardham Yatra. The other three are Rameshwaram, Dwarka and Badrinath. Considered as a symbol of equality and brotherhood, the festival starts with a grand ceremony in the morning. Every year, new chariots are constructed but the idols of the deities are replaced by new ones once in 12 years. The Yatra marks the annual journey of the deities to Gundicha Temple (their aunt’s temple).

For travelers willing to take part in this grand religious celebration, Bhubaneswar is the closest domestic airport from Puri while the nearest international airport is at Kolkata. Visitors can also reach Puri by various other transportation facilities like trains, buses, cars and taxis. Puri serves as the last major rail head of South Eastern Railway and that’s why it is well-connected with other cities of India. Bhubaneswar, the state capital city, is located about 70 km from Puri.

Puri Rath Yatra Date 2024: 7th July

Also Read: Popular Religious Festivals in Odisha

Hemkund Sahib Yatra, Uttarakhand

Placed at an elevation of 4,632 meters above sea level, Hemkund Sahib is one of the sacred pilgrimage centers for Sikhs in India. Situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, the gurudwara is dedicated to the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

The gurudwara is encircled by seven snow-clad mountains and each one of them is adorned by Nishan Sahib (a triangular flag made either of silk or cotton and bearing the traditional symbol of Khalsa Panth).

Besides its religious significance, the glacial lake and high-altitude setting of the gurudwara make it one of the most challenging pilgrimage yatras in India that witnesses a high influx of devotees from all the corners of the world. It is the beautiful natural setting of Hemkund Sahib that even attracts people from other religions to the place.

Travelers can access the location of the gurudwara either by foot or by ponies from Govindghat, located about 20 km from Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. Govindghat is the starting point of Hemkund Sahib Trek and is situated about 22 km from Joshimath.

Hemkund Sahib Yatra Dates 2024

Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib opens for pilgrims from May till October every year. The doors of the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara will be opened on 20 May, 2024.

Also Read: Popular Sikh Pilgrimage Sites in India

Amarnath Yatra, Jammu & Kashmir

Seek blessings of Lord Shiva with a visit to Amarnath Cave that features an ICE LINGAM. Placed at an elevation of 3,888 meters, Amarnath Shrine is located in a narrow gorge. It is one of the major abodes of Lord Shiva and is of high religious value for Shivaities.

Amarnath Yatra is said to be one of the toughest pilgrimages in India and is organized during Shavan month (July – August) by the government of Jammu and Kashmir every year. Apart from its religious significance, the expedition to this holy cave is also valuable because it gives visitors an adventurous trekking experience.

Nestled among the mighty Himalayas, this journey not only takes devotees closer to God but also delivers a sense of relatability to inner peace.

The closest airport is Srinagar Airport while Jammu Tawi is the nearest railway station from the shrine.

Yatra Route: There are two routes to the holy cave; one is through Pahalgam and second is via Baltal.

• Route 1: Jammu Tawi – Pahalgam – Chandanwari – Pissu Top – Sheshnag – Panchtarni – Amarnath Cave
• Route 2: Jammu – Udhampur – Patnitop – Kud – Ramban – Banihal – KaziGund – Anantnag – Srinagar – Baltal – Amarnath Cave

Amarnath Yatra 2024: This year the yatra will commence on July 1, 2024 and last for 56 days.

Note* – Travellers who want to undertake Amarnath Yatra through helicopters do not need to register for the journey as their tickets are considered as yatra permit cards but they have to obtain health certificates too like other visitors. Children below the age of 13 and persons above the age of 75 as well as pregnant ladies are not allowed to undertake the yatra.

• 3 Nights 4 Days Amarnath Yatra by Helicopter
• 4 Nights 5 Days Amarnath Yatra with Gulmarg Sightseeing

Reputed as one of the most challenging and sacred religious journeys for the Hindu sect, Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is a perfect fusion of spirituality, nature’s boundless beauty and adventure.

The yatra is undertaken by thousands of people every year and holds the supreme position among all the pilgrimage centers devoted to Lord Shiva. That’s why, a visit to Mount Kailash, the abode of the Lord, is considered as a way to attain salvation.

The dazzling Mount Kailash is situated in the isolated south-west corner of Tibet region, at an elevation of 6,638 meters. It is one of the highest areas of the mighty Himalayas.

Along with Hindus, the shrine also has significant value for Buddhism and Jainism followers. There are various other interesting points located close to Mount Kailash like Manasarovar Lake, Gauri Kund, Tirthapuri, Yam Dwar, Asthapad, Siwasthal and Tarboche Flagpole.

There are four ways to reach Mount Kailash but the base point of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is Kathmandu only.

• Overland Journey from India: It is a 28-30 days trek and you need to book well in advance for registration as the availability is limited and participants are chosen by a draw. The whole process is administered by the Ministry of External Affairs of India.
• Overland Journey from Kathmandu: Reach Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and from there, start your spiritual yet thrilling expedition to Mount Kailash.
• Overland Journey from Lhasa: Visitors first fly to Kathmandu and then to Lhasa through China Air and then further to Kailash Parvat.
• Helicopter Journey: It is meant for those who are not comfortable with high-altitude passes and want to finish the Yatra in the shortest span of time. The fixed wing aircraft take passengers from Kathmandu to Simikot via Nepalganj. From Simikot, a helicopter takes the charge and flies to Hilsa and from there onwards, land cruisers are used to reach the final point.

Note* – Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is permitted to only Indian citizens, holding a valid Indian passport and aged between 18 and 70 years. He/she should be medically and physically fit with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 or less. People suffering from asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart disease, etc., are not eligible for the Yatra.

Other Interesting Blog to Read

• Top Peaceful Places in the Himalayas for Long Vacation

Vaishno Devi Yatra, Jammu & Kashmir

Renowned as one of the most famous pilgrimage yatras in India, Vaishno Devi Yatra is the journey to the holy shrine of Vaishnavi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, situated at the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu region of North India.

The shrine is considered to be one of the most sacred of all the 108 shakti peethas. Vaishno Devi shrine basically comprises idols of three deities in the form of black stones, namely, Mahakali, Mahasaraswati and Mahalakshmi.

Every year thousands of people from all over the world throng this sacred place, irrespective of their age groups. The shrine is located at a height of about 5,300 feet and is about 61 km from Jammu City with Katra as its base.

Between this journey, devotees come across various other religious spots like Darshani Darwaza, Ban Ganga, Charun Paduka Temple, Adhkuwari, Sanjhichhat and Bhairon Ghati, with a meaningful history attached to them.

The shrine of Vaishno Devi is situated at a distance of 61 km from Jammu Tawi and Katra is the end point from where visitors have to cover a distance of 13 km by foot to reach the main shrine.

Vaishno Devi Yatra 2024

The gates of the Vaishno Devi Shrine are open for devotees all year-round. They can take up this pilgrimage at any time of the year.

• 2 Nights 3 Days Vaishno Devi Tour Package
• 2 Nights 3 Days Mata Vaishno Devi Tour with Shivkhori Darshan
• 3 Nights 4 Days Mata Vaishno Devi Tour with Patnitop

12 Jyotirlinga Yatra, India

The famous 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra is very significant for the devotees of Lord Shiva. It is one of the longest spiritual journeys that cover several temples throughout the country. All the temples included in the yatra are considered as the manifestation of the deity in various forms. It is believed that this sacred yatra is a way to achieve salvation and get rid of your sins.

Visitors can choose among Delhi, Mumbai and Madurai as their starting point of this holy yatra. All these three cities are well served by every means of transportation.

Temples Included in the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra

• Somnath Temple in Gujarat
• Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh
• Mahakaleswar at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh
• Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh
• Kedarnath in Uttrakhand
• Bhimashankar at Pune in Maharashtra
• Viswanath at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh
• Tryambakeshwar at Nashik in Maharashtra
• Vaijyanath Temple in Deoghar District of Jharkhand
• Aundha Nagnath at Aundha in Hingoli District in Maharashtra
• Rameshwar at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu
• Grushneshwar at Ellora near Aurangabad, in Maharashtra

Yatra Route: Delhi – Haridwar – Rudraprayag – Kedarnath – Varanasi – Deoghar – Indore – Ujjain – Indore – Dwarka – Nashik – Aurangabad – Pune – Hyderabad – Srisailam – Hyderabad – Madurai – Rameshwaram – Madurai – Delhi

12 Jyotirlinga Yatra 2024

Pilgrims can perform this yatra in any time of the year but it is good to schedule your plan in summers as Kedarnath Temple opens only for a limited period (from Akshaya Tritiya that falls in the end of April to Kartik Purnima that usually occurs in November).

• 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India and Their Mythological Importance in Hindu Religion
• Famous Temples of India

Pandharpur Palki Yatra, Maharashtra

Pandharpur Palki Yatra is a well-known pilgrimage expedition to Vithoba Temple, situated in Pandharpur city of Solapur district in Maharashtra . The yatra is dedicated to Lord Vitthala, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Pandharpur Palki Yatra is popularly known as Waari Yatra and the pilgrims who attend this holy procession are known as “warkaris”.

This traditional holy journey is also called “PANDHARPUR ASHADI EKADASI WARI YATRA” as this pilgrimage ends on Ekadasi of Ashada month as per Marathi’s traditional calendar. The expedition originally starts from Sant Tukaram Temple, located in Dehu Village of Pune District.

This main procession of Tukaram Maharaj Palki is further joined by Sant Dnyaneshwar Palki that originates from Alandi near Pune next day. Later on, many more processions from other nearby villages and towns join the main yatra en route.

It is a 21-days event held annually during the period of June-July and has been celebrated for more than 700 years.

The town of Dehu is located about 30 km away from Pune Railway Station as well as from Pune Airport. So, it is quite easy for pilgrims to join this holy yatra from any corner of the country.

Yatra Route: Dehu and Alandi – Pune – Saswad – Lonand – Taradgaon – Barad – Natepute – Malsiras – Velapur – Shegaon – Vakhari – Pandarpur

Also Read: Popular Pilgrimage Places in Maharashtra

Considered as the largest congregation of Muslims in the world, Haj is the prominent pilgrimage to Mecca. It is reputed as one among the five pillars of Islam and is performed during “Dhul-Hijjah (the 12th Islamic month).

Hajj Yatra is more than just a voyage to a holy land; it is a duty that every Muslim must perform once in his/her life span. Despite its annual occurrence, the date of Haj changes every year as the period of the pilgrimage is decided on the basis of Islamic calendar.

Anyone who performs this holy Islamic Yatra is known as “HAJJI” but the expedition is quite tough and full of strict rules and customary etiquettes. Every year, there is a sharp increase in the number of pilgrims heading to Mecca for Hajj journey.

Pilgrims generally go for Haj Yatra in groups as a symbol of unity and brotherhood. Now-a-days majority of flight operators throughout the world provide direct air connectivity with the holy land of Mecca. Two airports, one regional (Ta’if Airport) and one international (King Abdulaziz International Airport) serve the Mecca region of Saudi Arabia.

Note*– There are specified rituals and schedules that are must for every Hajj pilgrim to follow. Males are required to wear “IHRAM” and females are required to maintain their normal modest dress code (hijab) as per Islamic guidelines. There are certain restrictions related to wearing Ihram also. So it is best to get detailed information about all customary etiquettes before performing Hajj.

Also Read: Popular Muslim Pilgrimage Sites in India

Srikhand Mahadev Yatra, Himachal Pradesh

When it comes to popular pilgrimage tours in India, Srikhand Mahadev Yatra is another tough religious journey that pops out from the rich treasure of Indian culture. As the name suggests, the yatra is dedicated to Lord Shiva and ends in the high peaks of Himalaya, like the other two, Amarnath Yatra and Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Srikhand Mahadev basically is a natural rock-made shivlingam about 70 feet high and is placed at an elevation of around 5791 meters. The Yatra to this high-altitude abode of Lord Shiva opens during the period of July – August every year and takes 15-20 days for completion.

Offering a perfect blend of divinity and unparalleled natural beauty, Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra is not meant for weak and old people, children and pregnant ladies. It is important to carry heavy woolen clothes, blankets, rain coats and eatable items as you will not get anything en route.

Srikhand Mahadev lingam is located in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh that’s why pilgrims have to travel up to the state capital Shimla, which forms the base of this holy yatra. The foot part of the yatra starts from Jaon village.

Yatra Route: Shimla – Rampur – Nirmand – Bagi Pul – Jaon Village – Bheem Talai – Parvati Bhag – Shrikhand Mahadev – Thachdu

Also Read: Popular Pilgrimage Destinations in Himachal Pradesh

Navagraha Yatra, South India

Representing the importance of cosmic powers in Hindu mythology, Navagraha Yatra is a holy pilgrimage expedition dedicated to nine planets of Hindu astrology.

The nine planets that are worshipped during this holy yatra are Jupiter, Moon, Rahu, Sun, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Ketu and Saturn. The expedition starts from Thingalur, the hometown of well-known Kailasanthar Temple (Moon Temple) and ends at Keelperumpallam (Ketu Temple).

It is important to give a visit to all the Navagraha temples but in case if you are running short of time then a visit to Jupiter Temple at Alangudi, Moon Temple at Thingalur and Rahu Temple at Thirunageswaram are must for every pilgrim.

This holy yatra is very popular among those who have strong belief in astrology.

The nearest major city is Chennai, located about 420 km from Thingalur.

Yatra Route: Chennai – Kumbakonam – Thingalur (Moon Temple) – Alangudi (Jupiter Temple) – Suriyanar Temple (Sun Temple) – Kanjanoor (Venus Temple) – Tirunageswaram (Rahu Temple) – Vaitheeswaran Koil (Mars Temple) – Thirunallar (Saturn Temple) – Thiruvenkadu (Mercury Temple) – Keelperumpallam (Ketu Temple)

Navagraha Yatra 2024: There is no fixed date for this sacred journey. Pilgrims can perform it in any period of the year, as per the planetary movements in their zodiac signs.

• Must Visit Temples in South India

When it comes to Indian pilgrimage travel, Nav Durga Devi Yatra has a very important place in Hindu mythology. According to legends, Goddess Shakti is worshipped in several forms throughout the country but her representation in these nine forms has a special significance among her followers and Hindus.

Like Jyotirlinga yatra, Nav Durga Devi Yatra too covers various different places but in North India only. Starting from Jammu and Kashmir, this sacred yatra ends at Uttar Pradesh. All the nine temples included in this spiritual expedition are among the major Shakti Peethas dotted throughout India.

There are various trains that run between Delhi and Jammu Railway Station like Jammu Rajdhani, Shalimar Express, Malwa Express and Dee Jat Duronto.

Temples Included in the Yatra

• Vaishno Devi Temple
• Chamunda Devi Temple
• Brijeshwari Devi Temple (Kangra Devi)
• Jwalamukhi Temple
• Chintpurni Mata Temple
• Naina Devi Temple
• Kali Bar Temple (Kalika Devi Temple)
• Mansa Devi Temple
• Shakumbhari Devi Temple

Yatra Route: Delhi – Jammu Tawi – Katra – Jammu Tawi – Pathankot – Palampur – Kangra – Jwalamukhi – Karoa-Bharwain Road (Una District) – Naina Devi – Shimla – Panchkula – Sahranpur – Jasmour village – Sahranpur – Delhi

• Must Visit Shakti Peethas in India: The Divine Seats of Cosmic Power

Panch Kedar Yatra, Uttarakhand

Panch Kedar , as the name suggests, is the holy congregation of the five sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The five temples are nestled among the Himalayan peaks of Garhwal region in Uttarakhand.

The five temples are to be visited in a strict order as per the religious guidelines – the first temple to be visited is the Kedarnath Temple , followed by Tungnath Temple , Rudranath Temple , Madhyamaheshwar Temple and ending with Kalpeshwar Temple.

A folk legend connects the Panch Kedar to the Pandavas from Mahabharata. According to which, Lord Shiva bestowed his blessings in the form of a bull with its various parts rising in five different locations where the temples are situated in present day. Once the visit is complete, one has to pay homage to Lord Vishnu by visiting Badrinath Temple.

How to reach?

The journey starts from Rishikesh or Haridwar. Both are easily accessible through Indian Railways or by roadways.

Yatra Route: Delhi – Haridwar – Rudraprayag – Kedarnath – Guptkashi – Gaundhar – Madhmaheshwar – Ukhimath – Tungnath – Chopta – Panargupha – Rudranath – Dumuk – Kalpeshwar – Rudraprayag – Rishikesh – Delhi

Panch Kedar Yatra 2024: The temples can be visited for six months between May and October as the temples remain closed in winters due to heavy snowfall.

Check out: Panch Kedar Trekking Itinerary

Adi Kailash is also referred to as the Chota Kailash or Little Kailash because of the striking similarities with Mount Kailash in Tibet. It is situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand with close proximity to Indo-Tibetan border.

One unique feature that sets it apart from other mountain peaks is the Om symbol made out of deposition of snow on the mountain miraculously, which is why it is also called Om Parvat.

The Adi Kailash Yatra takes pilgrims through some of the hidden gems of nature in the form of snow-clad peaks, gurgling streams and mystical dense forests.

Delhi is located at a distance of approximately 460 km from Pithoragarh. One can reach it by regular bus services run by the state transport corporation. The nearest railhead from Pithoragarh is Tanakpur Railway Station, located at a distance of 58 km.

Yatra Route: Delhi – Pithoragarh – Dharchula – Lamari – Nabi – Kutti – Jyolingkong – Adi Kailash

Adi Kailash Yatra 2024: The yatra can be undertaken for six months between May and October as various routes remain closed in winters due to heavy snowfall.

Check out: Adi Kailash Yatra Trekking Itinerary

Kinnaur Kailash Yatra is one of the most revered pilgrimages undertaken by the Hindus. The place is home to a 79 ft tall shivlinga, which changes colors every second. Located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, it is believed to be the actual place where the gods reside. According to myth, Lord Shiva used to conduct a meeting of gods and goddesses at Kinnaur Kailash. Situated close to it is the Parvati Kund, believed to be created by Goddess Parvati herself. It was also the meeting point of Lord Shiva and the goddess.

The nearest airport is Shimla Airport, located at 267 km from Kalpa. Tourists can avail taxi services to reach Kinnaur from Kalpa. Various regular bus services are offered by travel agencies from Shimla and Rampur to reach Kinnaur.

Yatra Route: Delhi – Shimla – Kalpa – Lambar – Shurting – Charang – Lalanati Base – Chitkul – Shimla – Delhi

Kinnaur Kailash Yatra 2024: The trek can be commenced between the months of May and October but, the ideal time is between September and October as before that, the region may receive heavy monsoon showers resulting in landslides, avalanches and cloud bursts.

Check out: Kinner Kailash Parikrama Trekking Itinerary

Nestled among the Pir Panjal Range in Himachal Pradesh is the pious Lake Manimahesh located at the base of Manimahesh Kailash Peak. The lake is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites believed to be created by Lord Shiva himself after getting married to Goddess Parvati.

The spiritual journey undertaken by thousands of pilgrims from different corners of the country commences on the auspicious day of Janmashtami and ends on Radha Ashtami.

The yatra takes you through the glacier-fed rivers, majestic peaks of the Himalayas and dense forests of Pir and Deodar.

Pathankot is located at a driving distance of 495 km from Delhi. Regular bus service is offered by Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation to reach the town. The nearest railhead is Pathankot Junction Railway Station.

Yatra Route: Delhi – Pathankot – Bharmour – Hadsar – Kugti – Dalotu – Base Camp – Kamal Kund – Manimahesh – Bharmour – Paathankot – Delhi

Manimahesh Kailash Yatra 2024: 26 August 2024 to 1 September 2024

Check out: Manimahesh Kailash Detailed Trekking Itinerary

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. when will the puri rath yatra take place in 2024.

The Puri Rath Yatra will take place on July 7, 2024, this year.

Q. Which temples are included in Chota Char Dham Yatra?

Four temples namely Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri form the Chota Char Dham Yatra.

Q. Why is it advised to commence the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra in summers?

It is advised to take up this yatra in summers because the journey gets difficult during heavy monsoons which result in landslides and cloud bursts. In winters, the Kedarnath Temple gets shut down due to heavy snowfall.

Q. When will the Amarnath Yatra start in 2024?

Amarnath Yatra will commence on 01 July 2024 and will end on 19 August 2024.

Published: 15 Jan, 2024

About the author

Nidhi Singh

From the Lake District, Nainital, Nidhi Singh is a travel writer whose love for mountains can be seen in her write ups. Talk about solo travelling, indulging in adventure activities, binging on good food, planning budget trips or the Aurora Borealis and you will get all her attention. It is the wanderlust that keeps her going and if at all she could get one wish granted she would love to live a life less ordinary. Follow her on Twitter , Facebook & Instagram .

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Indian pilgrimage.

Author: Shahani, Ranjee G.

Keywords: Pilgrims and pilgrimages--India Civilization;India - Geography Civilization Pilgrims and pilgrimages India - Description and travel Travel

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Source: Central Secretariat Library

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