Top 5 religious hubs of India
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Commonly referred to as the “religious capital” of India, Varanasi (earlier known as Banaras), lies on the banks of the River Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. This holy city, which is also one of the seven most sacred spots for Hindus; is also the city of temples, the city of ghats, the city of music, and the centre for attaining nirvana (moksha). Thousands of devout Hindus visit this celebrated ancient city, due to its intimate connection with legendary and mythical figures, who were said to have resided there once.
Varanasi assumes significance when it comes to the Hindus, due to its geographical location on the banks of the river Ganga- as the river is considered to be auspicious for the Hindus. Moreover, Varanasi has special sanctity for another reason, as legend has it that- Banaras was where Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati stood, when time started ticking for the first time.
2. Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Rameswaram, a small town in the Ramanathapuram district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is one of India’s most iconic religious destinations. This pilgrimage hub is separated from the mainland of India by the Pamban channel and has been a noteworthy religious tourist spot, attracting devotees from all over the world. The town has a number of eminent temples, which are associated with different Hindu gods- giving Rameshwaram utmost significance as a religious centre.
Legend has it that the Hindu god, Lord Rama, built a bridge from the city across the sea to neighbouring Sri Lanka, to rescue his wife Sita from her abductor Ravana. Rameswaram’s central tourist attraction is the Ramanathaswamy Temple, which stands as one of the twelve Jyotirlinga Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is an architectural marvel built in the 17th century and has an esteemed status in Indian mythology.
3. Katra Vaishno Devi, Jammu & Kashmir
Katra Vaishno Devi or Katra for short is a small town in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasa District, that is situated in the foothills of the Trikuta mountains. Since time immemorial, the shrine of the goddess Vaishno Devi, situated in the Trikuta mountains, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites of India.
Vaishno Devi, also referred to as Mata Rani or Trikuta, is a manifestation or an avatar of the powerful Hindu goddess Durga. This trekking hub is vibrant and bustling with tourists who either go for the 13.5 km trek from Katra on foot, or by using the various other modes of transportation that are offered such as ponies, palkis and helicopters.
4. Amritsar, Punjab
Amritsar, an important heritage site of India is a city in the North-Western part of India. The remarkable Golden Temple, which is also known as the Sri Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib is a Gurdwara, that has continued to attract Sikhs from all over the world due to the religious significance that the temple holds. This stunning temple is the most important spiritual shrine in Sikhism and was built around a man-made pool (Sarovar) that was completed by the great Guru Ram Das.
The Sri Harmandir Sahib is open for all men and women belonging to different walks of life and faith. The temple has four main entrances, with a circumambulation path around the pool. The collection of buildings around the sanctum and the pool makes the temple an exquisite beauty. The dome of the Golden Temple is gilded with 750 kg of pure gold, which makes it an architectural marvel, attracting tourists from all over the world, irrespective of their religions.
5. Puri, Odisha
Puri, a state of Eastern Odisha is situated on the Bay of Bengal, situated 60 kilometres south of the state capital of Odisha, that is Bhubaneshwar. The 12th-century Lord Jagganatha Temple located in this coastal city, is one of the first pilgrimage sites for the Hindus. The temple is home to three significant deities, namely, Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra. This famous Lord Jagganatha Temple is a Hindu temple is one of the holy “char dham” abodes of God that are considered to be extremely sacred for the Hindus.
