Embark on a Spiritual Journey to India’s 10 Famous Religious Sites

India's spirituality reflects in the numerous religious places belonging to diverse faiths. Discover this spirituality with a soul-searching journey across ten famous religious sites in India. The country has been a meeting place for different religions since time immemorial. As a result, the whole country is dotted with sacred religious places visited by pilgrims. Following is the list of ten important religious places to visit to rediscover your soul and seek inner peace.

• Vaishno Devi, Jammu

Nestled high up in the mountains, the abode of Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the best holy places in India. The arduous trek to the Trikuta hills leads to the caves where the Goddess presides. Thousands of pilgrims take the arduous trek to the Trikuta Hills caves every year to seek the Goddess's divine blessings.

• Amarnath Temple, Kashmir

Also known as Baba Barfani, the ancient Amarnath cave is the abode of the Mahamaya Shakti Peetha. The sight of the Shivling, a natural formation of Ice, fills the pilgrims with a divine ecstasy forgetting the tiresome trek. 

Make your primary base at Kashmir Houseboats- Club Mahindra Affiliate resort in Srinagar. Visit the nearby places of interest. Once acclimatised, travel further to Pahalgam, the starting point of the Amarnath trek. 

• Shri Harmandir Sahib aka Golden Temple, Amritsar

Also known as the Golden Temple or Swarna Mandir, Gurdwara Harmandir Sahib is a holy place in India for the followers of Sikhism. The golden gilded temple is also an important tourist attraction. 

The Langar, a  free Sikh community-run kitchen, serves free vegetarian meals to all visitors irrespective of their faith. You can also offer a hand in running the Langar.

• Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Ajmer

Also known as Khwaja Garib Nawaz Dargah, Ajmer Sharif Dargah is the tomb of the revered thirteenth-century Sufi Saint and philosopher Moinuddin Chisti. The dargah transcends religious boundaries as people of all faiths regularly visit the place.

Check in to the Clarks Safari Pushkar and experience the magnificent Rajasthani hospitality. Ajmer Sharif Dargah is about 17.8 Km away and can be easily reached by car in less than an hour.

• Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka

The Dwarkadhish Temple is one of the most popular religious places in India and an integral part of the Char Dham Yatra. Situated on the western tip of Gujarat, the fascinating town of Dwarka oozes spirituality in every place. 

Book a room at the Club Mahindra Dwarka. The serene atmosphere here will be perfect for staying while exploring the temple and its surrounding areas.

• Trimbakeshwar, Nashik

One of the twelve important jyotirlingas, the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, is situated in the town of Trimbak at a distance of 28 Km from the city of Nashik. The sacred Godavari river originates near Trimbak.

A holy dip in the Kusavartha Kunda fills the devotees with an overwhelming sense of spirituality.

Unwind yourself at Club Mahindra Hatgad Nashik and explore the local places of interest. Visit Trimbakeshwar from here once you are well-rested.

• Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa

Situated in Old Goa, the Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the important Christian religious places in India and a UNESCO world heritage site. It is also the resting place of St. Francis Xavier. Interestingly, the 300 years old body of St. Francis Xavier is still in good condition and is taken out once every decade on the third of December. 

Check into the picturesque resort in Varca hosted by Club Mahindra to visit the Basilica. The famed Dudhsagar Falls, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, and the Varca beach are some other tourist attractions you would like to check out while staying here.

• Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple, Tirupati

Popularly known as Tirupati Temple, the abode of Lord Venkateshwara has intricate architecture. It is one of the wealthiest temples in India. Many devotees shave off their hair as a mark of surrender before the Lord. 

• Rameswaram

Rameswaram, in Tamil Nadu, is one of the very sacred places in India where Lord Rama is believed to have worshipped and repented after killing Ravana. The JKR Resort and Spa is an ideal place to stay in Rameshwaram. You can explore various places like Ramanathaswami Temple, Dhanushkodi, Pamban Bridge, Vivekananda Memorial, etc. 

• Jagannath Temple, Puri

A list of important religious sites in India is incomplete without mentioning the Jagannath Temple at Puri. The main deities of the temple are Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balbhadra and Goddess Subhadra. While pilgrims throng the temple throughout the year, the whole city of Puri comes alive during the annual Puri Rath Yatra. 

Apart from the joy of exploring new places, a sacred pilgrimage across the country might help you pause, rethink your priorities, and calm your mind.