For thousands of years sacred places have held a mysterious and powerful
attraction on people. India, which has such a large number of such sacred sites
and a tradition of going on pilgrimage dating back millennia, could be regarded as
one large sacred site. We have listed below a few of the more famous pilgrimage
sites in India. If you would like us to organize a personalized pilgrimage for you
then complete our online reservation form and someone will reply within 48 hours
with a proposed itinerary and a price quote.
attraction on people. India, which has such a large number of such sacred sites
and a tradition of going on pilgrimage dating back millennia, could be regarded as
one large sacred site. We have listed below a few of the more famous pilgrimage
sites in India. If you would like us to organize a personalized pilgrimage for you
then complete our online reservation form and someone will reply within 48 hours
with a proposed itinerary and a price quote.
Ajmer, located 135 kms (80 miles) southwest of Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan, is
one of the most sacred of all Sufi pilgrimage sites in India. Its Muslim history
began in 1193 when the fierce ruler of Ajmer, Raja Pritvi Raj, lost the town to Sultan
Muhammad of Ghori. Accompanying Ghori during his campaign was the Persian
saint Khwaja Mu’inuddin Chisti, also known as Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaaz (The
Benefactor of the Poor), who was believed to be a descendant of the Prophet
Muhammad.
From an early age, Chisti preferred the company of sages, dervishes, and
mystics. At the age of 9, he was able to recite the entire Quran from memory. At
the age of 14, divinely inspired and fired by passion, he renounced all worldly
possessions and cares. After brilliantly completing his studies at Nizamia
Universities, he began traveling far and wide to quench his spiritual thirst. After 20
years of intense spiritual study and guidance, and after completing the Hajj in
Mecca, a voice told him to “proceed to Ajmer and spread the gospel of truth.
After journeying with Sultan Muhammad of Ghori to Ajmer, he began to deliver
sermons and discourses of love in a soft language dipped in honey. His self-
abnegation, his noble bearing, his selfless service, and his dedication to the
Prophet, earned him a large dedicated following of both Hindus and Muslims.
Despite not knowing the native language, he converted thousands of people to
Islam.
When he died in 1236, he was buried at the foot of Taragarh Hill. Many years later,
when Akbar captured Ajmer in 1568 and made Ajmer his military headquarters he
visited Chisti’s tomb to pray for a son. When his wish was granted, Ajmer’s
reputation as a place of miracles was solidified. To this day thousands of people
visit Chisti’s tomb to pray and to pay their respects to one of the greatest figures in
Islamic mysticism.
one of the most sacred of all Sufi pilgrimage sites in India. Its Muslim history
began in 1193 when the fierce ruler of Ajmer, Raja Pritvi Raj, lost the town to Sultan
Muhammad of Ghori. Accompanying Ghori during his campaign was the Persian
saint Khwaja Mu’inuddin Chisti, also known as Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaaz (The
Benefactor of the Poor), who was believed to be a descendant of the Prophet
Muhammad.
From an early age, Chisti preferred the company of sages, dervishes, and
mystics. At the age of 9, he was able to recite the entire Quran from memory. At
the age of 14, divinely inspired and fired by passion, he renounced all worldly
possessions and cares. After brilliantly completing his studies at Nizamia
Universities, he began traveling far and wide to quench his spiritual thirst. After 20
years of intense spiritual study and guidance, and after completing the Hajj in
Mecca, a voice told him to “proceed to Ajmer and spread the gospel of truth.
After journeying with Sultan Muhammad of Ghori to Ajmer, he began to deliver
sermons and discourses of love in a soft language dipped in honey. His self-
abnegation, his noble bearing, his selfless service, and his dedication to the
Prophet, earned him a large dedicated following of both Hindus and Muslims.
Despite not knowing the native language, he converted thousands of people to
Islam.
When he died in 1236, he was buried at the foot of Taragarh Hill. Many years later,
when Akbar captured Ajmer in 1568 and made Ajmer his military headquarters he
visited Chisti’s tomb to pray for a son. When his wish was granted, Ajmer’s
reputation as a place of miracles was solidified. To this day thousands of people
visit Chisti’s tomb to pray and to pay their respects to one of the greatest figures in
Islamic mysticism.
| Ajmer |
During the months of June and July, pilgrims make an arduous 4 day trek through
the Himalayas to Amarnath Cave to worship the Hindu god Shiva. The trek begins
northeast of Srinagar in Kashmir and terminates in a cave where pilgrims can see
a natural Shiva lingam of ice which waxes and wanes with the phase of the moon.
On either side of this central lingam are two other ice lingams which are said to
represent Parvathi and Ganesh. Swami Vivekananda remembered his experience
here by saying, “I have never been to anything so beautiful, so inspiring.
the Himalayas to Amarnath Cave to worship the Hindu god Shiva. The trek begins
northeast of Srinagar in Kashmir and terminates in a cave where pilgrims can see
a natural Shiva lingam of ice which waxes and wanes with the phase of the moon.
On either side of this central lingam are two other ice lingams which are said to
represent Parvathi and Ganesh. Swami Vivekananda remembered his experience
here by saying, “I have never been to anything so beautiful, so inspiring.
| Amarnath Cave |
Bodh Gaya is recognized as the place where Gautama Siddhartha, The Buddha,
attained supreme enlightenment while sitting in meditation under a bodhi tree. It
is the most important of the four pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, the other three
being Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath. This area became the heart of Buddhist
civilization for centuries until it was conquered by the Turks in the 13th Century at
which time Buddhist monasteries were left to disintegrate. It wasn’t until the 19th
century that Bodh Gaya was reborn as an important religious center. Here you
can see the Mahabodhi Temple which was erected near the bodhi tree by Emperor
Ashoka 250 years after The Buddha attained enlightenment. On the north side of
the Mahabodhi Temple, the Chanka Ramana, a platform built in the 1st century,
marks the place where the Buddha walked in meditation. Since 1953, Bodh Gaya
has been developed into an international place of pilgrimage where Buddhists
and non-Buddhists alike from around the world come to circumambulate the
temple, offer prayers in a multitude of languages, and awaken to the possibility of
their own enlightenment. In 2002, the Mahabodhi Temple became a UNESCO
World Heritage site.
attained supreme enlightenment while sitting in meditation under a bodhi tree. It
is the most important of the four pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, the other three
being Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath. This area became the heart of Buddhist
civilization for centuries until it was conquered by the Turks in the 13th Century at
which time Buddhist monasteries were left to disintegrate. It wasn’t until the 19th
century that Bodh Gaya was reborn as an important religious center. Here you
can see the Mahabodhi Temple which was erected near the bodhi tree by Emperor
Ashoka 250 years after The Buddha attained enlightenment. On the north side of
the Mahabodhi Temple, the Chanka Ramana, a platform built in the 1st century,
marks the place where the Buddha walked in meditation. Since 1953, Bodh Gaya
has been developed into an international place of pilgrimage where Buddhists
and non-Buddhists alike from around the world come to circumambulate the
temple, offer prayers in a multitude of languages, and awaken to the possibility of
their own enlightenment. In 2002, the Mahabodhi Temple became a UNESCO
World Heritage site.
| Bodh Gaya |
Home of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in
Exile, Dharamsala pulsates with the sights and sounds of old Tibet. Sometimes
known as “Little Lhasa” after the Tibetan capital city, several thousands of
Tibetan exiles have made Dharsamala their home. Since Buddhism is the center
of the cultural life here, there are ample opportunities for visitors to immerse
themselves in the teachings of the Buddha, study Tibetan astrology or medicine,
or meditate at the Tushita Retreat Center.
Exile, Dharamsala pulsates with the sights and sounds of old Tibet. Sometimes
known as “Little Lhasa” after the Tibetan capital city, several thousands of
Tibetan exiles have made Dharsamala their home. Since Buddhism is the center
of the cultural life here, there are ample opportunities for visitors to immerse
themselves in the teachings of the Buddha, study Tibetan astrology or medicine,
or meditate at the Tushita Retreat Center.
| Dharamsala |
The Golden Temple of Amritsar or Harimandir Sahib is located in the Punjab in
northwest India. Shining in the morning light, the gilded splendor of the paneling,
dome and small minarets stands as a symbol of the spiritual and historical
traditions of the Sikhs. Originally a small lake in the middle of a forest, it has been
a place of meditation for wandering sages and mendicants. The Buddha is
known to have spent some time in contemplation here. Two thousand years after
The Buddha’s time here another sage and the founder of the Sikh religion, Guru
Nanak, came to settle and meditate here. After his death his followers continued
to come to Amritsar and eventually this became the central shrine for the Sikhs.
Miraculous cures have also been attributed to touching the water in the “pool of
nectar” or sarovar in which the temple sits. Come to visit what many consider
one of the most beautiful temples and peaceful places in the world.
northwest India. Shining in the morning light, the gilded splendor of the paneling,
dome and small minarets stands as a symbol of the spiritual and historical
traditions of the Sikhs. Originally a small lake in the middle of a forest, it has been
a place of meditation for wandering sages and mendicants. The Buddha is
known to have spent some time in contemplation here. Two thousand years after
The Buddha’s time here another sage and the founder of the Sikh religion, Guru
Nanak, came to settle and meditate here. After his death his followers continued
to come to Amritsar and eventually this became the central shrine for the Sikhs.
Miraculous cures have also been attributed to touching the water in the “pool of
nectar” or sarovar in which the temple sits. Come to visit what many consider
one of the most beautiful temples and peaceful places in the world.
| Amritsar |
In Mumbai the mosque and tomb known as Haji Ali Dargah was built 500 yards
into the sea with only a narrow causeway leading to it. It was constructed in 1431
by a wealthy Mohammedan merchant and Muslim saint Haji Ali, who renounced
all worldly possessions before starting on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Legend has it
that he died while on this pilgrimage and miraculously his body in a casket
floated back to the spot where the mosque now stands. As many as 40,000
devotees visit the shrine on Thursdays and Fridays and stoop down to press
their foreheads against the richly brocaded red and and green chaddar covering
his tomb.
into the sea with only a narrow causeway leading to it. It was constructed in 1431
by a wealthy Mohammedan merchant and Muslim saint Haji Ali, who renounced
all worldly possessions before starting on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Legend has it
that he died while on this pilgrimage and miraculously his body in a casket
floated back to the spot where the mosque now stands. As many as 40,000
devotees visit the shrine on Thursdays and Fridays and stoop down to press
their foreheads against the richly brocaded red and and green chaddar covering
his tomb.
| Haji Ali Dargah |
Haridwar is one of the seven most sacred Hindu cities in India. Located where
the Ganges River flows out from the mountains to the plains below, it is believed
that this place, called Hari-Ki-Pauri, is where the river is at its purest form and
where a footprint of Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Today it is home to many
ashrams that have been created by different swamis, yogis, and religious
institutions. Every evening at sundown the spectacular aarti ceremony takes
place where devotees pay tribute to the Hindu gods by floating cupped leaves
filled with flowers and candles down the river.
the Ganges River flows out from the mountains to the plains below, it is believed
that this place, called Hari-Ki-Pauri, is where the river is at its purest form and
where a footprint of Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Today it is home to many
ashrams that have been created by different swamis, yogis, and religious
institutions. Every evening at sundown the spectacular aarti ceremony takes
place where devotees pay tribute to the Hindu gods by floating cupped leaves
filled with flowers and candles down the river.
| Haridwar |
On the western bank of the Yamuna River and just 30 km north of Agra is
Mathura, the birth place of the Hindu God Krishna. In the Bhagavad Gita, one of
the greatest Hindu sacred texts, Krishna explains the world to Arjuna and how
to live in it. According to legend Mathura is where the young Krishna was raised
by a family of cowherds and performed miracles for the good of the villagers,
played tricks on them, and where the young gopis or milkmaids became
enamored of him. He was, the Hindus believe, an incarnation of the god Vishnu.
To this day pilgrims still gather to bathe at the ghats and to visit his temples
such as the Dvarkadhish shrine in the crowded marketplace.
Mathura, the birth place of the Hindu God Krishna. In the Bhagavad Gita, one of
the greatest Hindu sacred texts, Krishna explains the world to Arjuna and how
to live in it. According to legend Mathura is where the young Krishna was raised
by a family of cowherds and performed miracles for the good of the villagers,
played tricks on them, and where the young gopis or milkmaids became
enamored of him. He was, the Hindus believe, an incarnation of the god Vishnu.
To this day pilgrims still gather to bathe at the ghats and to visit his temples
such as the Dvarkadhish shrine in the crowded marketplace.
| Mathura |
Rishikesh is a town of temples and ashrams surrounded by forest. While
smaller than Haridwar many still come to Rishikesh to find peace, a cure to an
ailment, or themselves. The most sacred spot is where the Yamuna, Ganges,
and Saraswati Rivers meet.
smaller than Haridwar many still come to Rishikesh to find peace, a cure to an
ailment, or themselves. The most sacred spot is where the Yamuna, Ganges,
and Saraswati Rivers meet.
| Rishikesh |
Varanasi, one of the Seven Holy Cities of India, is the pilgrimage site most
visited by pilgrims with more than 1 million visitors every year. Regarded as
one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Varanasi is Shiva's
home and thus one of the most sacred to Hindus . The faithful believe that
merely by visiting Varanasi one automatically gains the benefits and merit of
visiting all of the other sacred sites. Varanasi also figures prominently in
literature and scripture where the city is often referred to poetically as Kashi,
“the luminous,” perhaps because of its historical status as a center of learning,
literature, and culture. Here all life is deeply and inextricably connected to the
river whose waters, it is said in myth, is the fluid medium of Shiva's divine
essence. The faithful by the thousands come to the ghats along the river’s
shores to bathe in this divine essence, thereby cleansing their souls of sin, and
to give their offerings. Here, too, life and death and inextricably entwined. To
die in Varanasi is to achieve moksha or liberation from the endless cycle of
birth, death and rebirth.
visited by pilgrims with more than 1 million visitors every year. Regarded as
one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Varanasi is Shiva's
home and thus one of the most sacred to Hindus . The faithful believe that
merely by visiting Varanasi one automatically gains the benefits and merit of
visiting all of the other sacred sites. Varanasi also figures prominently in
literature and scripture where the city is often referred to poetically as Kashi,
“the luminous,” perhaps because of its historical status as a center of learning,
literature, and culture. Here all life is deeply and inextricably connected to the
river whose waters, it is said in myth, is the fluid medium of Shiva's divine
essence. The faithful by the thousands come to the ghats along the river’s
shores to bathe in this divine essence, thereby cleansing their souls of sin, and
to give their offerings. Here, too, life and death and inextricably entwined. To
die in Varanasi is to achieve moksha or liberation from the endless cycle of
birth, death and rebirth.
| Varanasi |
Vrindavan is another sacred site noted for its temples numbering in the
hundreds, many ancient and many modern, dedicated to Lord Krishna and his
consort Radha. In the ancient woods surrounding the town, Sri Krishna tenderly
courted Radha, frolicked with the young milkmaids, and played tricks on the
townspeople. In recent decades the name Vrindavan has come to symbolize an
idyllic place or Eden probably due, in part, to the peacocks, cows, monkeys, and
the many species of birds that still populate the town. The oldest temple is the
Madan Mohan Temple and is closely associated with the saint and social
reformer Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who worshipped Krishna and Radha, and
popularized the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. Devotees believe that
Vrindavan is not a material city for they conceive of it as being eternally
connected to Lord Krishna and anyone who comes here is transcendentally
purified.
hundreds, many ancient and many modern, dedicated to Lord Krishna and his
consort Radha. In the ancient woods surrounding the town, Sri Krishna tenderly
courted Radha, frolicked with the young milkmaids, and played tricks on the
townspeople. In recent decades the name Vrindavan has come to symbolize an
idyllic place or Eden probably due, in part, to the peacocks, cows, monkeys, and
the many species of birds that still populate the town. The oldest temple is the
Madan Mohan Temple and is closely associated with the saint and social
reformer Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who worshipped Krishna and Radha, and
popularized the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. Devotees believe that
Vrindavan is not a material city for they conceive of it as being eternally
connected to Lord Krishna and anyone who comes here is transcendentally
purified.
| Vrindivan |
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Travel Information India
Popular Pilgrimage Sites
Popular Pilgrimage Sites
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