Home to rich culture and legacy, India celebrates its wide diversity and embraces plurality wholeheartedly. A secular country under whose shelter dwells multiple religions in utmost peace and harmony, India can rightly be called the “Land of Faith”. For over 4000 years, India-one of the most spirituality enriched places on earth has been the cradle of spirituality. No wonder, every major religion in the world, as well many of their off-shoots and facets, get support and nourishment in India. Indian Safaris present the Spiritual Tour of India.
As the country is dotted with many spiritual destinations, one needs to visit them for peaceful self-discovery. Many of these religious such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism were conceived in India, and others sought refuge in India after being persecuted in their own countries. Apart from religion, numerous sages, philosophers and founders of religions also sought and received sanctuary and enlightenment in India’s soil and spirit. The trend continues even today after so many years, the reason being as the people across the world veer towards the capitalistic way of life., the quest for their travel for spirituality becomes more urgent. As a result. Along with a large number of pilgrims that visit these religious destinations once a year, many travel enthusiasts have started to throng these hubs. The presence of a large number of temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras and monasteries in India beckons a traveller to visit India that is spiritual and most all diverse yet united. Let us take a look at some of the fascinating tourism places in India combined by Indian Safaris and holidays.
VARANASI & VRINDAVAN (UTTAR PRADESH)
The Name Vrindavan comes from the word “Vrinda”, one of many names of the sacred tulsi (basil) plant, considered to be one of the purest devotees of Krishna. The city of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh is located 90 miles from Delhi in Mathura district and is one of the most important Hindu Pilgrim points. Standing one the banks of River Yamuna. The Pilgrimage town today is home to hundreds of temples and ashrams, both ancient and new, bringing alive and glorifying the playful pastimes of Lord Krishna in their own distinctive ways.
The many temple sin Vrindavan are seen at their best during Janmashthami , Radhasthami or Holi which are celebrated with great pomp and show ad draw unexceptionally huge crowds from all around the world. One of the most revered and a notable shire of Vrindavan is the Banke Bihari Temple dedicated to the Supreme Lord Krishnabent ( Banke) in three places. Located immediately on the outskirts of Vrindavan is the impressive temple of Krishna Balram ISKCON temple enveloped in rarified air of stillness that seems to radiate off its beatific white marble structure. It is indeed one of the most sought-after places by the devotees of Lord Krishna. Ever wondered which temple has the characteristic distinction of being the oldest in the temple town of Vrindavan? That is Madan Mohan Temple, located near the Kali Ghat and overlooking the burbling Yamuna River. It is not just a holy place of reverence but a historically important edifice that transcends you back to the 15th century to the times when the reverential saint Sanatan Goswami had initially enshrined the much-loved deity of Madan Mohan.
Other spiritual marvels like Rangaji Temple, Radha Mohan Temple, Prem Mandir, Nidhivan are worth a visit. While in Vrindavan you can avail the different Dharamshalas and guest house that offer you good accommodation at a reasonable rate.
It goes without saying that for the spiritual seeker, there is no better destination that Varanasi to help explore the higher planes of belief and faith in the country. Regarded as a holy city by Buddhists, Hindus and Jains alike, Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world. One of the most distinctive features of Varanasi is the bathing ghats along the Ganges River. While the ghats along the river’s edge are the main spiritual draw to the city, like most Indian cities, Varanasi is home to number of temples honouring various gods and goddesses and serving those of all religions. Many of the temples date back prior to the eighteenth century, such as Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Golden Temple. The Druga Temple is also notable, as the local legend is that the image of the goddess Durga was not added by the builders, but appeared on the façade in its own. Even those who do not practice Buddhism or Hinduism are entranced by the spirituality of Varanasi and are sure to seek the spiritual enlightenment within them.
BODH GAYA & PATNA (BIHAR)
The place has an inherent quality of divinity which simply dispels any commotion in the real world. One immediately begins to sense a very different vibe here and settle into a very tranquil state of being. Myth and mythology apart, Bodh Gaya is a wonderful tiny temple town where one begins to sense a trail of wisdom in the teachings of the great Buddha. Bodh Gaya is a wonderful spot where one can study these teachings and gain a sense of the wisdom entailed in the intricate understandings of the functioning of the universe.
Enlightenment sits at the heart of the identity of Bodh Gaya, as this is the place where Prince Siddhartha became Buddha, `the enlightened one.` The Bodhi tree has been the most revered spot amongst people all over the world, ever since Buddha has attained his sense of divine wisdom and enlightenment here. The tree is surrounded by a magnificent landscape quite reminiscent of the picture of divine paradise that one might have in their head. Study or meditate here, you will sense a definite feeling of being shrouded in an aura of harmony.
Patna the capital city, is special in more ways that one. As a unique synthesis of the old and the new, the city goes on to define an age-old legacy of civilization in its own manner. Located in central Bihar, the city has been torchbearer as the seat of several important empires in the past an was called by several names during varying times of history – Patliputra, Pushapura, Azimabad.
Hanuman Mandir, popular for being one of the most revered temples lies in front of the Patna Junction. One can witness amass of devotees offering prayers. Yet another place is Taksht Shri Harmandir Saheb, one of the most important places of Sikhs. It is constructed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji which was also know as Taksht Shri Patna Sahib. An important historic center, a significant seat for amassing important skills, a picturesque hubbub if a well learned crowd, an abode for key historic centers and gateway to the sea make Patna the perfect conglomerate capital city in India to head to right away!
HARIDWAR & RISHIKESH (UTTARKHAND)
Offering vibrant and fascinating blend of culture and piety. Haridwar is one of the seven holiest cities in India. Often bustled with devotees, the propitious location of the city near the holy River Ganga has made it gain more popularity. With the passage of time, it has become more than just a religious city, where people thronged to perform immersion of the ashes or took a dip in the water to wash away their sins.
According to the Samudra Manthan Haridwar along with Ujjain and Allahabad is one of four sites where drops of Amrit, the elixir of immorality, accidently spilled over from the pitcher while being carried by the celestial bird Garuda. This is manifested in the Kumbha Mela is celebrated every 3 year in one of the 4 places, and thus every 12 years in Haridwar. Amidst the Kumbha Mela, millions of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists congregate in Haridwar to perform rutulistic bathing on the banks of the river Ganges to wash away their sins to attain Moksha. Brahma Kund, the spot where the Amrit Fell, is located at Har ki Pauri (literally, “footsteps of the Lord”) and is considered to be the most sacred ghat of Haridwar. The vening prayer (Aarti) at dusk offered to Goddess Ganga at Hari-ki-Pauri ( Steps of God Hara or Shiva) is an enchanting experience for any visitor. A spectacle of sound and clour is seen when,a fter the ceremony, pilgrims float diyas (floral float with lamps) and incense on the river, commemorating their deceased ancestors. Thousands of people from all around the world do make a point to attend this prayer on their visit to Haridwar.
Considered sure shot to enlightening salvation devotees embark on holy journeys –Pilgrimage, eager to measure those footprints with theirs. One such place of the eternal charm is in the state of Uttarakhand, festooned with the mighty Himalayas, the holy Ganges and other eloquent welcoming attributes of Mother Nature is – Rishikesh. Travelling to Rishikesh is considered to the important because it is the beginning point of Yatra of Char Dham of Uttarakhand – Badarinath,Kedarnath, Gangoti and Yamunotri.
Several pilgrims undertake the journey to Rishikesh to experience the serenity and the spiritual connection in its air. The temples situated on the banks of the holy river make the view even more auspicious ,as the pilgrim get a chance to worship their deity along with being close to Goddess Ganga. And as if the fame of it is of the holiest place was not enough, Rishikesh has also emerged as an international destination for Yoga, rightly assuming the tile of “World Capital of Yoga” and hence thriving the population of foreign tourists to the city.
THE KONARK SUN TEMPLE & JAGANNATH PURI TEMPLE (ODISHA)
Odisha is a surprise, like a long forgotten book in the corner book of a library, which page by page takes you on a journey through centuries; carved in the ancient temples as estimated 80,000 in the states, the majority dedicated to Shiva and some of the most renowned Vishnu shrines.
The state hosts Jagannath Puri temple, one of the four dhams of the Hindu religion. The historic Jagannath temple ( Shrimandira) at Puri was built in the year 1078. It is believed that the Krita Yuga, the actual image of the lord had the power of granting `moksha` to anyone who witnessed it. Yamaraja didn’t find this justice. So, he decided to keep the image n some distant and unknown corner of the earth. However, Dvapar Yuga arrived, the idol that is worshiped today inJagannath Puri was constructed by Lord Vishnu with the help of wooden logs. And it doesn’t make difference in the Lord’s power in spite of having the hands lacking. Jagannath temple consists of four entrance gates namely Sighadwara, Ashwadwara, Hathidwara and Vyaghradwara and these names are refer to lion, horse, elephant and tiger. Each day, the Lord at the Jagannath Temple is offered `bhoga` six times and is dispensed among the worshippers close to Ratnavedi.
The Konark Puri temple which is world heritage site, the 64 yogini temple dedicated to Durga in the form of 64 demi-goddesses – one of the very few in the country. This sun temple is indeed a masterpiece of Odisha’s medieval architecture. Around the base of the temple there are images of animals, foliage, warriors on horses and other interesting structures. On the walls and roof of the temple, beautiful erotic figures are carved. To glorify the magnanimity of the temple of Konark and to make it more popular among the culture and tour loving people across the world, the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation and Odissi Research Centre jointly organise the world famous Konark dance festival every year which is a great attraction for tourists. It is a common platform to witness various forms of Indian classical dances. For five days, this world Heritage site echoes with the rhythmic beats of flute and the rhythmic clinging of ghungroos combine a transcend one into a fantasy ad its surely, a sight to behold.
GOLDEN TEMPLE & ANANDPUR SAHIB (AMRITSAR, PUNJAB)
Punjab represents a culture that is as progressive as it is deeply rooted in tradition and a society that is as modern as its representative of its rich history. Worth a mention is the iconic Golden Temple that is world’s one of the most renowned architectural wonders. Also known as Harmandir Sahib, this magnificently beautiful temple has an environment of tranquillity quite unlike the temple you’d ever visit in India. Pilgrims take dips within the Sarovar ( the sacred pool water around the golden temple) , as verses in the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikhism’s holy book), are sung within the temple through out the day.
Volunteers prepare free vegetarian meals, better know as langar for pilgrims and the temple feeds as much as 100,000 people each day from the free kitchen. An incredible feat in its own right, but what’s even more amazing as that his continues to be going for 450 year without missing a single day. The moody by-lanes of the Golden Temple have now been converted into beautiful heritage corridor with the construction of “ The Golden Temple entrance Plaza” which is not unlike the famous La Grand Place – Brussels famous square. Packed with history and clean, paved streets flanked by famous statues and some of the most famous sites like the Jallianwala Bagh, Town Hall and the entrance to the Golden Temple.
It is believed that many thousand of years ago, the zone of Anandpur was inhabited by wild animals as the place where there was nothing but miles of bushes and forests. It is only by the late 15th century that the animals disappeared and people started make home here. Anandpur town was established by the ninth guru of Sikhs, Guru Tegh Bahadur, in 16665. The efforts of the Guru and his followers helped turn the no-man’s land into a place ideal for human habitation. Today, Anandpur Sahib is a popular city in Punjab.
Anandpur Sahib is flanked by a 17th century fortress and framed between a towering mountain range and river. It was the place where the Khalsa sect was born under the leadership of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Gurudwara Sri Sis Ganj, the place where severed head of Guru Teg Bahadur was cremated, and Gurudwara Kesgarh Sahib where five brave followers of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib ji offered their heads. Visit during Baisaki to catch the carnival like celebrations that take place there. However, the most impressive display of Sikh fearlessness can be seen during Hola Mohalla, held during the Holi Festival.
Are you feeling inspired and ready to get started? We’d love to assist with the planning of your spiritual tour of India. At Indian Safaris, all our tours are private and tailor-made to suit your taste, budget and requirement. To get started, please get in touch. . Or, for inspiration, you might like to browse our sample itineraries by clicking here.
