Neha Sharma
India is a country where people are more into religious and cultural beliefs than Western influence. Its land is rich in holy destinations that attract tourists and devotees from all over the world. These destinations are not only famous for their religious significance but also for their natural beauty and cooler climates, especially during the summers. Each of these places is visited by hundreds and thousands of pilgrims every season.
We have mentioned some of the popular religious tourist spots in India that you can also consider visiting during your summer vacations.
- Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Haridwar is situated along the banks of the river Ganga and is considered one of the most religious centres in India. It is well-renowned for its Ganga Aarti held every morning and evening and for its Kumbh Mela held once every twelve years. The city also has revered Ghats including Har ki Pauri. Every pilgrim that visits Haridwar first reaches Har ki Pauri and enjoys the river Ganga. The aura you feel along the river is an “out of the world” experience one can ever have in life.
The place is a few kilometres away from another religious location Rishikesh which is often a must-visit location by the pilgrims if they visit Haridwar. This place is also very promising and provides complete religious vibes to its tourists, surrounded by huge mountains all over. Two important sites to visit in Rishikesh are Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula.
- Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Tirupati city in Andhra Pradesh is famous for the popular Venkateshwara Temple, dedicated to the Venkateshwara avatar of Vishnu born on Earth. This is a Hindu temple situated in the hills of Tirumala. This temple is also considered one of the eight Svayam Vyakta Kshetras (Self-Manifested Temples) dedicated to Vishnu.
In 2012-13, Tirupati was marked as the Best Heritage City in India by the Ministry of Tourism. It attracts a large number of tourists every day, an average of 30K – 40K every day.
- Vaishno Devi, Jammu & Kashmir
Vaishno Devi Temple is located in Katra of Reasi district in Jammu & Kashmir. It is dedicated to a manifestation of Mata Durga named Vaishno Devi. The temple is situated at a great height of above 5000 feet on the Trikuta Mountain. In Hinduism, it is believed to be one of the Shakti peethas, temples dedicated to various forms of Adi Shakti. It is considered one of the most popular Hindu Pilgrimage Sites that receives devotees in millions, every year. For instance, the Vaishno Devi temple is reported to be visited by 8.5 Million pilgrims in 2018.
- Kedarnath and Badrinath, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath and Badrinath are two of the Char Dham Pilgrimage sites for Hindus. The other two include Yamunotri and Gangotri. The two places are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu respectively. Badrinath temple is located in the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3100 metres, along the banks of the Alaknanda River.
The Kedarnath temple is located above the Badrinath temple in the same Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3583 metres, near the Mandakini River. It is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and was created by the Pandavas. Both of these temples also attract millions of pilgrims every season.
- Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan that forms a 22 KM long plateau by 9 KM wide. The hill station is located in the Aravalli Range in the Pindwara – Abu Assembly Constituency of Sirohi district, Rajasthan. It shares its borders with Gujarat.
The location is famous for its Dilwara temples which are a group of Jain temples known for their exquisite marble carvings. However, the entire Rajasthan experiences scorching heat due to its Sahara Desert, Mount Abu is the only place in this state that provides a relieving environment for its residents. Hence, it attracts lots of pilgrims to enjoy its serene beauty.
India has a great diversity of religious and cultural blends. Whether it be Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Muslims, or Christianity – every religion has its significance. People from all faiths visit the holy centres of each other. Talking particularly about Hindu temples, we have mentioned some popular pilgrimage sites that you can consider visiting during the summer. They’ll provide you with scenic beauty and relief from intense heat waves in local land areas.
