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Pilgrimages in North India

India is a land of diverse religions. People visit here to experience its unmatched spiritual wonders which can turn any atheist into a theist. The country not only attracts devotees but also lures knowledge seekers, researchers and curious soul willing to peep into the Vedic history of India. Every region of the country has its own list of spiritual hubs. However, North India has the largest number of holy places which one needs to see to believe. Get Tour Quotes

Chota Char Dham

The Chota Char Dham is a group of four most popular sites in India - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Sitting on the Garhwal hill tracks, Badrinath rests between Nar and Narayan mountain ranges. Here you will find the very popular Badrinath Temple sitting at a height of 10,279 feet and adorned with lofty snow-clad Himalayas. Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River and is dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna. From here you can relish views of the Garhwal Himalayas. The temple of Yamuna was built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal and houses a black marble idol of the deity.

Kedarnath, at a height of 3584 mts, is one of the busiest holy destinations in India. Kedarnath sits amidst the Garhwal Himalayas and has a great mythological appeal. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva hid himself here to evade the Pandavas. When Pandavas found Lord Shiva, he went into the earth, creating a hump on the surface. Kedarnath is surrounded by numerous Himalayan ranges and rolling landscapes. The four destination of this pilgrimage is Gangotri from where the holiest River Ganga originates. This is the seat of the goddess Ganga where the temple was built by the Nepalese general Amar Singh Thapa.

Amarnath

Amarnath remains one of the most popular pilgrimages in India. It is the abode of Lord Shiva, one of the most worshipped Hindu deities. The cave is located at a height of 3,888 m (12,756 ft) which makes it extremely difficult to access. This is the holiest shrine of Hindus where millions of pilgrims visit every year. For most of the months, this cave remains blanketed with snow. Only in summer months, the snow melts and devotees can come here to worship Lord Shiva. Here an enshrined image of 40 m (130 ft) high ice called the Shivaling is worshiped. This Shivaling waxes during May to August when snow melts in the Himalayas.Get Tour Quotes

Vaishno Devi

Vaishno Devi is perhaps one of the most famous pilgrim centers in the world. Sitting in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir, Vaishno Devi brings pilgrims from all over the world. Here a holy cave is situated where the goddess manifested herself in the form of natural rock formations. You will see three Holy Pindies inside the cave which are worshipped by millions of pilgrims visiting every year.

Haridwar

Haridwar, one of the seven holiest cities in India, sits peacefully on the banks of River Ganga in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The city holds great importance among the Hindu devotees who flock here to worship various Hindu deities apart from taking a dip into the holy water of Ganga River. Har Ki Pauri ghat is the most sacred ghat here where pilgrims flock to witness the grandest Ganga aarti during evening hours.

Rishikesh

Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas, Rishikesh is a city soaked into seamless spirituality. People visit here to rejuvenate their mind and calm their souls with the list of temples dotted here. The gushing river Ganges flows through this city and adds to its tranquility. Adventure lovers visit here to partake in a breathtaking river rafting experience. On the other hand, the city also treats tired souls with the power of yoga which has earned it the name of the yoga capital of India.Get Tour Quotes

Mathura Vrindavan

Mathura & Vrindavan remain one of the most spirituality oozing places in India. These twin cities charm you with their seamless spirituality and serenity sprawling around. Mathura & Vrindavan are visited by streams of pilgrims from all over the world. These places are dedicated to Lord Krishna and narrate numerous stories of his childhood and younger days. Holi celebration of Mathura & Vrindavan is world renowned that paints these cities into vivid colors of cultures, traditions and spirituality.

Varanasi

Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh evokes images of serene ghats of River Ganga and uncountable temple bells ringing in the background. This is one of the oldest living cities on the planet which deserves a visit due to its bounty of spirituality sprawling here. Varanasi is the ‘abode of Lord Shiva’ and welcomes streams of vacationers seeking blessings of the lord. Take a boat ride on the pristine river of Ganga during early morning hours to soak into the tranquility of the place.

Allahabad

Allahabad is one of the most popular and grandest Hindu pilgrimage centres in India. This largest city in Uttar Pradesh is also known with the name of “Prayag” or “Kaushambi”. Allahabad’s spiritual vibes bring many travelers to this place where the biggest festival of Kumbh Mela is hosted. This is where the three holy rivers the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati meet (Triveni Sangam). Devotees come here from all over the world to experience its serenity and to wash away their sins by taking a dip into the holy water of this Triveni Sangam. The city also has a rich history which can be seen in some noteworthy historical marvels dotted here.Get Tour Quotes

Bodhgaya

Bodh Gaya is a holy site known for housing the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in the state of Bihar. This is the place where Gautama Buddha obtained Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing a 10th-century, 2m-high opulent idol of a seated Buddha. The Bodhi Tree here is a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka. Both Hindus and Buddhists visit this place to meditate and to experience its spiritual vibes.

Hemkund Sahib

Hemkund Sahib is a Sikh shrine in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. The Gurudwara is nestling with Garhwal Himalayas and is located at a height of 4636 m. Close to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara flows Hemkund Lake which is considered to be sacred.

Ajmer

The holy town of Ajmer has won immense popularity due to the sacred Dargah Sharif of Saint Moinuddin Chishti situated here. Every year thousands of devotees come here to pay a visit to the holy Dargah Sharif which was raised by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. This is the tomb of Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti. This remains a prominent pilgrimage center in India where people of all faiths visit.Get Tour Quotes

Amritsar

Amritsar city of Punjab is known for being home to the Harmandar Sahib also known as Golden Temple. This Sikh Gurdwara is raised around a man-made pool. The foundation of Golden Temple was laid by Sai Mian Mir - a Muslim Pir of Lahore on being requested by Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru of Sikhism. It is a huge complex flaunting Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. Its dome, gilded with 750kg of gold, catches everyone’s attention and shines bright at twilight. The Gurdwara offers seamless serenity with holy chants and is visited by people of all religious backgrounds.

Plan a visit to one of the spiritual hubs of North India with us and learn about the religious fervor of the locals here.