Religious Places in India For Divine Blessings

Known For : Vaishno Devi Mandir Katra Ardhkuwari

Located in Trikuta hills, 13 km from Katra at the height of 1560 m above sea level with bright clouds and thinning air, this town is the holy cave temple of Mata Vaishnodevi, with spirituality and vibrancy lingering in the atmosphere. It is considered one of the most sacred holy places in India.

Best Time: Throughout the year

9 Vaishno Devi Attractions

Known For : Ayyappa Temple Makaravilakku Malikkappuram Devi Temple

More than 30 million pilgrims visit the temple in Sabarimala annually, making it the largest in India and second largest in the world, after Hajj Pilgrimage of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. This religious place in India is known for the Ayyappa temple which is said to be a powerful remover of obstacles.

Best Time: September to Apr

6 Sabarimala Attractions

Known For : Sri Venkateswara Temple Akasaganga Teertham Silathoranam

The very name Tirupati is enough to evoke strong spiritual feelings, and while the name ‘God’s Abode’ indeed does justice to the place, Tirupati has quite a few other tourist attractions as well that make it a city worth visiting. Situated in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is one of the most popular pilgrimage centres in the country. Home to many heritage sites, and a plethora of ancient temples and monuments, Tirupati is one of the oldest cities of India, and finds mention in plenty of ancient texts.

Best Time: September to March

40 Tirupati Attractions

Known For : Kashi Vishwanath Temple Ganga Aarti, Varanasi Dashashwamedh Ghat

A city as old as time itself. A city that has stayed in place and watched as the world has turned and the tides have changed. A city that has stood the test of time for thousands of years. In the words of Mark Twain, "Older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, And looks twice as old as all of them put together." Varanasi, the city that is more than just the spiritual capital of India. The city which can be aptly described as a melting pot where both life and death come together. The city that you only need to visit once for it to stay with you forever.

Best Time: October to March

38 Varanasi Attractions

Dargah Sharif, the tomb of Moinuddin Chishti is one of the holiest places of worship in India not only for the muslims but for followers of every faith.Being the final resting place of the Gharib Nawaz Moin-ud-din Chisti, it has had an enormous contribution in spreading the ethical and spiritual values of Islam amongst masses.

Known For : Amarnath Cave Amarnath Yatra Baltal

Amarnath is one of the most important pilgrimage in India for the worshippers of Lord Shiva. The Amarnath cave is haven to an enshrined image of ice called the Shivaling formed naturally, which resembles Lord Shiva.

Best Time: May to September

4 Amarnath Attractions

Known For : Ranakpur Jain Temple Sadri Surya Narayan Temple

Ranakpur is a small quaint town nestled amid the secluded valley of Aravali Ranges in Rajasthan. Situated around 96 km North of Udaipur in Pali district, it is an important destination for Jain pilgrims. The place presents a unique spectacle of verdant greenery and gushing streams, an unusual sight in Rajasthan. Immersed in the vibrant culture with a myriad of enrapturing beauty in store, Ranakpur has made its way on the list of must-visit destinations in Rajasthan.
It is named after Rana Kumbha, who donated some land for the place.

Best Time: October to March

7 Ranakpur Attractions

Known For : Ganga Aarti in Haridwar Har Ki Pauri Chandi Devi Temple

No spiritual journey can ever be considered complete without a visit to Haridwar, one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Literally meaning 'the abode of Lord Vishnu', Haridwar, located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, is a land of legends and myths. Considered as one of the seven holiest cities in India, Haridwar sees millions of people flock to it every year to pay their respects to the Lord, or to wash away their sins. However, with the passage of time, Haridwar has evolved from being a mere religious place in India to a multifaceted cultural and spiritual centre, and only after exploring Haridwar will you realize that there is a lot more to the city than just visiting temples and taking a dip in the holy Har ki Pauri. Haridwar has a perennial mystical air around i, and is the perfect holiday option for anyone seeking spiritual connection as well as a chance to indulge in and get closer to nature.

Best Time: Throughout the year

36 Haridwar Attractions

Known For : Prayag Kumbh Mela Triveni Sangam Khusro Bagh

A few kilometres away from Varanasi, Allahabad is reminiscent of all that is spiritual and sacred in Hinduism. The largest city in Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad is famous for being the meeting point of three rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. Built on the site of the ancient town of Prayag, Allahabad has, since time immemorial, held the largest Hindu gathering on the banks of the Sangam' the Maha Kumbh Mela. While Allahabad is often passed over for more travel-friendly cities, there is a lot to Allahabad besides just as a religious place in India. The places oozes heritage, history, and stories galore, and once you visit the place, you will definitely have seen Allahabad differently for having travelled to and through it.

Best Time: October to March

23 Allahabad Attractions

Known For : Kedarnath Temple Sonprayag Vasuki Tal

Atop 3584 mts, this is one of the Char Dhams and one of the busiest pilgrim centres in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is believed that in order to evade the Pandavas, Lord Shiva hid himself in the form of a bull at Kedarnath, and when found by the Pandavas, he went further into the earth leaving the hump on the surface.

Best Time: May to June, September to October

14 Kedarnath Attractions

Known For : Badrinath Temple Charanpaduka Tapt Kund

Badrinath is a pilgrim centre (among one of the Char Dham) set in the backdrop of Neelkanth Mountain Peak dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Best Time: May to June, September to October

19 Badrinath Attractions

Known For : Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple Shani Shingnapur Samadhi Mandir

The home of great saint Sai Baba, Shirdi is a religious site close to Nasik with various temples apart from the famous Sai Baba temple and a few historical sites.

Best Time: July to March

24 Shirdi Attractions

Known For : Golden Temple Wagah Border Jallianwala Bagh

Home of the glorious Golden Temple, the iconic city of Amritsar, portrays the heroic character of the Punjab. A day in this peaceful city starts with the spiritual prayers from Gurudwaras. The original name of first the ancient lake, then of the temple complex, and later the surrounding city, meaning "pool of ambrosial nectar."

Best Time: October to March

34 Amritsar Attractions

Known For : Mahabodhi Temple Great Buddha Statue Tibetan Refugee Market

One of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, Bodhgaya is a village in the state of Bihar. It was here under the Bodhi tree that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The place is bustling with pilgrims all through the year who come to pay their homage in the monasteries, shrines and temples. It also attracts tourists from India and abroad owing to its magnificent Buddha statue, the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi tree.

Best Time: October to March

26 Bodh Gaya Attractions

Known For : Sri Jagannath Puri Temple Puri Beach Markandeswara Temple

One of the four must-visit pilgrimage sites for Hindus (Char-Dham), Puri is a beach city with its most famous attraction as the Jagannath temple.

Best Time: July to March

28 Puri Attractions

Known For : Rafting in Rishikesh Lakshman Jhula Triveni Ghat

Situated along the convergence of Ganga and Chandrabhaga, Rishikesh on the foothills of Himalayas is the hub of many ancient temples, popular cafes, yoga ashrams and adventure sports.
Rishikesh is the most beautiful blend of spiritual and adrenaline pumping experiences. With Whitewater Rafting industry growing and a number of camping and cafe spots springing up, Rishikesh has grown immensely as a favourite, catering to people with different needs.

Best Time: Throughout the year

53 Rishikesh Attractions

Known For : Om Beach Mahabaleshwara Temple Paradise Beach, Gokarna

With its pristine beaches and breathtaking landscapes, Gokarna is a Hindu pilgrimage town in Karnataka and a newly found hub for beach lovers and hippies.

Best Time: Throughout the year

20 Gokarna Attractions

Known For : Pushkar Lake Brahma Temple Savitri Temple

Pushkar, the city often referred to as the ‘rose garden of Rajasthan’ is a city of culture and intellect. Nothing can describe this iconic city better than a sought-after destination that provides the essence of Pushkar roses, the charm of culturally vibrant atmosphere and the dynamic festivities make it one hot cultural spot. The west wind of Pushkar gives an easygoing vibe of Westwood lifestyle in the hot sandstone town. The home of the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the world, it is one of the ultimate pilgrimages for Hindus to attain divine spiritual bliss. A place of holy spirit for Hindus, ample ghats are flooded with devotees, closing eyes in the serenity of chants coming from temples around. A soothing and calm place with the glitter of spirituality makes Pushkar a must visit.

Best Time: October to March

21 Pushkar Attractions

Known For : Gangotri Temple Gangotri Glacier Surya Kund

This pilgrimage destination situated in Uttarkashi is mostly famous for the four religious centers, or as they say, the Char Dham spots.

Best Time: April to June, September to November

20 Gangotri Attractions

Known For : Gomateshwara Statue Chandragiri Hill Temple Bhandari Basadi Temple

Located near Bengaluru, Sravanbelagola is an important Jain pilgrimage center with a 17 m tall sculpture of Lord Gomateswara called Bahubali statue as its prime attraction.

Best Time: October to Apr

8 Shravanbelagola Attractions

Known For : Bhavani Island Kanaka Durga Temple Undavalli Caves

With scrumptious fruits, sensational sweets and scenic marvels, Vijayawada literally translates to 'The Place of Victory'.

Best Time: September to March

25 Vijayawada Attractions

Known For : Dhamek Stupa Sarnath Archaeological Site The Mahabodhi Society Temple

A quiet and spiritual town set amidst the otherwise densely populated state of Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is a city of historical marvel with numerous Buddhist stupas, museums, excavated ancient sites and beautiful temples that prove to be a source of immense wonder and astonishment to tourists due to their mystical and serene setting. Being just 10 kms from Varanasi, Sarnath is often flocked with devotees is the perfect pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus, alike.  

Best Time: October to March

9 Sarnath Attractions

Known For : Banke Bihari Mandir Prem Mandir Radha Raman Temple

One of the oldest cities on the banks of Yamuna, Vrindavan is considered to be one of the most important places of pilgrimage for the devotees of Krishna. It is said that Lord Krishna had spent his childhood in Vrindavan. The name of the city has been derived from Vrinda (meaning basil) and van (meaning grove) which perhaps refer to the two small groves at Nidhivan and Seva Kunj. Since Vrindavan is considered to be a sacred place, a large number of people come here to abandon their worldly life.

Best Time: October to March

18 Vrindavan Attractions

Known For : Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal Vaigai Dam

Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India located in Tamil Nadu. It was ruled by Pandya kings for the longest time in its history and is constructed in the form of a lotus.

Best Time: October to March

20 Madurai Attractions

Known For : Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Kal Bhairava Temple Ram Mandir Ghat

Ujjain, considered to be one of the holiest cities of India, is an ancient city situated on the eastern bank of the Shipra River in the Malwa region. Ujjain is one of the four sites for the Kumbh Mela, the largest peace gathering on the planet that attracts 100 million people to the festival.

Best Time: October to March

26 Ujjain Attractions

Nestled amid the Himalayan Ranges, Sri Hemkunt Sahib is a sacred pilgrimage revered by thousands of Sikhs every year. Adorned with beautiful scenic view, the holy place offers tranquility at such an altitude.

Known For : Dwarkadhish Temple Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Bet Dwarka

Famous for having one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Dwarka is best known as the home of Lord Krishna and will enchant you with the holiness that the air here carries. Located on the western tip of the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat, Dwarka is popularly known as the "home of Lord Krishna". The name Dwarka literally translates to 'Dwar' meaning 'door' and 'Ka' meaning 'moksha' meaning the ‘door to salvation. And so the aura of this religious place in India reverberates with spiritual holiness and chants of the devotees seeking moksha. Dwarka boasts of being the only city that is a part of both Char Dham (four principal holy places) and also Sapta Puris (seven holy cities) mentioned in the holy places in India. For this reason, it enjoys a remarkable religious significance and attracts thousands of pilgrims all year round. In addition to this, the town is replete with grandeur temples, marvellous architecture and places of cultural significance. The beachside and the seashores are an added tourist attraction.

Best Time: July to March

14 Dwarka Attractions

Known For : Panchvati Sula Vineyard Dudhsagar falls, Nasik

Nasik is a religious Hindu city, host to the Kumbh Mela every 12 years. It also makes for a perfect wine tasting destination. The city is home to plenty of religious places in India such as exotic temples and is known in Hindu mythology as the place where Ravana's sister, Surpanakha, tried to seduce Lord Ram and got her nose cut off by Lakshman in the process. Its religious importance doesn't end there. It also plays host to the thousands of tourists visiting Shirdi and Trimbakeshwar.

Best Time: July to March

39 Nasik Attractions

Known For : Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple Dwarkadheesh Temple, Mathura Birla Mandir Mathura

India is a country of immense diversity in all fields of life, starting from religious to cultural to historical. Religion has been deeply ingrained into the Indian lifestyle for as far as one can remember, which is why India abounds in cities and towns all across the country which are devoted to fulfilling spiritual desires of people who come to visit these places from far and wide. Mathura is one such place which is considered one of the most sacred lands of India and is filled to the brim at any point of the year with people looking to pursue spiritual enlightenment. Located around 150 kilometres from Delhi, Mathura is known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna and is a significant religious place in India.

Best Time: October to March

28 Mathura Attractions

Known For : Bhagsu Falls Namgyal Monastery Bhagsunag Temple

Mcleodganj is a hill station near Dharamshala, popular among trekkers. Its culture is a beautiful blend of Tibetan with some British influence.

Best Time: October to June

42 Mcleodganj Attractions

Known For : Kumararama Bheemeshwara Swamy Temple Thalupulamma Thalli Kakinada

Samalkot is a small quaint town with a charm that can only be experienced by visiting it. Situated in the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, this place is regarded as holy by the devotees of Lord Shiva.

Best Time: October to March

7 Samalkot Attractions

Known For : Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara Shiv Temple Manikaran Manikaran Hot Springs

Located in the Parvati Valley along the banks of river Parvati in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, Manikaran is known as an important pilgrimage destination for both Sikhs and Hindus. The hot springs, religious tendencies, and beautiful surroundings attract a lot of people. A good number of temples and Gurudwara, Manikaran Sahib forms the pattern of a religious place in India.

Best Time: October to June

6 Manikaran Sahib Attractions

Known For : Charbhuja Shrinathji Temple Shopping in Nathdwara

Nestled amidst the Aravalli Hills, the charming town of Nathdwara is literally translates to "The Gateway of the Lord'. It is situated in the heart of Rajasthan, on the banks of river Banas and is a pristine picturesque location. It is also a sacred Hindu site and is flocked by thousands of tourists every year. Nathdwara is also famous for "Pichwai Paintings" which are traditional Rajasthani style paintings and terracotta work. It is considered the hub of traditional handicrafts, arts and artefacts.

Best Time: September to February

6 Nathdwara Attractions

Known For : Punnathurkotta Elephant Palace Mammiyoor Shiva Temple Guruvayur Temple

A small town in the district of Thrissur, Guruvayoor is most famous for the Guruvayoor Temple- India's third largest temple housing Lord Krishna.

Best Time: October to February

12 Guruvayur Attractions

Known For : Kamakshi Amman Temple Varadharaja Perumal Temple Devarajaswami Temple

Widely known for its beautiful ‘'Kanchipuram sarees' and also referred to as the 'golden city of a thousand temples', Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu is a popular tourist attraction.

Best Time: October to May

16 Kanchipuram Attractions

Known For : Kamadgiri Gupt Godavari Ramghat

Chitrakoot is a small town situated in the north Vindhyan range. Legends have it that Chitrakoot was the place where Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana stayed for eleven and half of their fourteen years of exile.

Best Time: July to March

13 Chitrakoot Attractions

Known For : Chaitanya Jyoti Museum Sathya Sai Ashram Wish Fullfilling Tree

The holy abode of the apocryphal figure, Saythya Sai Baba, Puttaparthi is a town which takes you back to the days of ashrams and the ways of living in those times with an equal influence of the present.

Best Time: September to February

13 Puttaparthi Attractions

Known For : Rameshwaram Temple Dhanushkodi Temple and Beach Jatayu Tirtham

Rameshwaram is one of the holiest places in India and is located on a beautiful island. It is separated by a small Pamban channel from Sri Lanka. According to the Hindu mythology, this is the place where Lord Rama created a bridge across the sea to Sri Lanka.

Best Time: Throughout the year

22 Rameswaram Attractions

Known For : Dharmasthala Temple Bahubali Statue Netravathi River Barrage

A famous pilgrim location for the Shaiva, Vaishnava and Jaina communities, Dharmasthala meaning the Land of Charity is a beautiful blend of heritage, culture and religion.

Best Time: October to March

8 Dharmasthala Attractions

Known For : Sringeri Mutt Kigga Sharadamba Temple

Best Time: Throughout the year

9 Sringeri Attractions

Known For : Ram Janmabhoomi Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya Kanak Bhawan

Assumed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, Ayodhya is a religious place in India that has been surrounded by controversy since about a decade now but yet, has so much colour and spirituality to see for its tourists taking the form of various attractions here including Ram Janmabhoomi and various other temples.

Best Time: October to March

16 Ayodhya Attractions

Known For : Sela Pass Tawang Monastery Madhuri Lake

Located at a height of about 3048m, is known for many important and beautiful monasteries and is famous as the birthplace of Dalai Lama. It is a religious place in India for Buddhists and is considered very holy.

Best Time: September to March

9 Tawang Attractions

Known For : Vishwanath Temple, Guptakashi Manikarnik Kund Ardhanarishwar Temple

The temple town of Guptakashi is located at a distance of 47 kms from the holy town of Kedarnath. Perched at an elevation of 1319 m above the sea level, Guptakashi enjoys the mesmerising backdrop of the enchanting snow-covered peaks of Chaukhamba mountains.

It houses two ancient temples namely Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ardhnareshwar Temple. Manikarnika Kund is another popular destination in the town. In fact, Guptkashi serves as a perfect stopover for those travelling to Kedarnath. The fantastic weather, lush green forests and captivating views of Chaukhmaba Range along with its rich past and heritage, the town is a wholesome package for vacation makers.

Best Time: March to June, September to November

7 Guptakashi Attractions