India is a spiritually awakened land. It is known worldwide for its rich culture and traditions which are embossed with the presence of many religions. It is home to the world’s oldest religion- Hinduism. Spiritually inclined people from across the globe throttle the country every year to experience the holy and pious destinations. India is indeed a one-stop destination for everyone who wishes to visit Temple, mosque, churches, monasteries or a gurudwara.

Travel East presents top 6 destinations which you shouldn’t miss if you wish to taste the essence of spiritual India.

Varanasi

Varanasi, also known as the city of Lord Shiva is one of the seven sacred Hindu cities with a glorified history. Also called as Benares, Banaras or Kashi, the city sits on the banks of the river Ganga in the Uttar Pradesh state of North India. It is rightly called the spiritual capital of the country which attracts many Hindu pilgrims and foreigners alike who visit to take a dip in the holy Ganga and perform funeral rites. The winding streets of the city have some 2000 temples including the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Haridwar

Haridwar is also one of the ancient cities and an important pilgrimage site in the Uttarakhand state of north India. The evening Ganga Aarti at the Har ki Pauri (largest of several sacred ghats) is spectacular and witnesses many tiny flickering lamps floated off the steps. Mansa Devi Temple is a special attraction of the place.

Haridwar is a few kilometers away from the yoga capital of the country- Rishikesh which is also an attraction point for many tourists from the world.

Golden Temple, Amritsar

The city of Amritsar in the state of Punjab is the most revered spiritual site of Sikhism because of the presence of Sri Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple. The gurudwara is built in the center of the holy tank, called Amrit Sarovar, and has four entrances in four directions signifying the openness of Sikhs to all religions and people. The exquisite Golden Temple is made of marble and embellished with real gold and attracts many pilgrims from all over the world.

Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu

Tiruvannamalai temple is one of the greatest Saivite shrines in the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple campus is built over sprawling 24 acres. The temple has 9 towers and 7 parakrams. The temple draws thousands of pilgrims every full moon. Hindu pilgrims walk around holy Mount Arunachala and pray at Arunachaleswar Temple, where Lord Shiva is worshiped as the element of fire. Kartikai Deepam festival is a major attraction for spiritual seekers.

Jagannath Temple at Puri

The majestic Jagannath Temple in Puri is a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus and is a part of the “Char Dham” pilgrimages. Located in the state of Orissa, this ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Krishna)and worshipped along with the deities Balabhadra and Subhadra. The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra or the Chariot Festival, where all the three deities are bathed in perfumed water with 108 pitchers and moved in magnificently decorated chariots. The temple symbolizes Orissa’s rich history, culture, and spiritual traditions.

Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Buddhism. It is a small village in the state of Bihar. The site is associated with the Mahabodhi temple complex which is built to mark the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath a sacred Bodhi Tree. The town is home to many Buddhist monasteries.