Heal & Rejuvenate with a Tour that Refreshes your Spiritual Side
India personifies unity in diversity. Each man here is a practitioner of a faith; each woman, a daughter of the Almighty. Sikhs, Christians, Hindus and Muslims alike, we all share the honour of being an Indian. Staying true to its religious diversity, India is dotted with numerous sacred destinations. Here’s a list of some of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India that you can make a quick visit to in order to start this year with the blessings of the Lord:
- Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Gautam Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree, here in Bodh Gaya. A simple shrine was built by the emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE) to mark the spot, later enclosed by a stone railing (1st century BCE), part of which still remains. Bodh Gaya is the holiest of Buddhist destinations and a World Heritage Site.
- Velankanni, Tamil Nadu
Velankanni is home to one of the country’s biggest Catholic pilgrimage centres. The Catholic Basilica devoted to Our Lady of Good Health is quite popularly referred to as the ‘Lourdes of the East’. The Basilica attracts pilgrims from all over India. There is an assembly of multi-lingual prayers held here, every Christmas.
- Ajmer Sharif, Rajasthan
Ajmer Sharif or Dargah Sharif is a Sufi shrine of Sufi Saint Moinuddin Chishti located in Ajmer, Rajasthan. Popular with Muslims, the shrine also has a huge following among people from other religions. It is estimated that about 1.25 lakh pilgrims visit the heritage site every day.
- Golden Temple, Punjab
The Golden Temple also known as Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar is an important religious place for the Sikhs. The upper floors of this temple are covered in gold, giving it the unique look and its English name. It represents the distinct identity, glory and heritage of the Sikhs.
- Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir
Vaishno Devi is a famous spot in Jammu and Kashmir frequented by Hindu pilgrims. Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi is believed to be a manifestation of the Hindu Goddess Durga. Approximately 10 million pilgrims visit this temple every year!
After the partying and the bingeing, it’s not a bad idea to feed your spiritual side with a visit to one of these holy destinations and feel one with the Supreme Being.
