A deeply devout country with many destinations known for their religious significance and harbouring more than 1/6th of the population worldwide, India and its people reflect spirituality in almost everything they do.
A culturally rich country, India is brimming with different religions, and it promises a space for all of them. With the population filled with a combination of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists, the spiritual fabric of India is colourful and unique.
Religion is the guiding force behind many tasks and daily activities in the lives of Indians. The animals to be worshipped, the prayers to be recited, and sometimes the influence spreads over cuisine as well, with restrictions on how to eat and what to eat.
With such a strong and steadfast hold, religion has easily established its presence in the travel spaces of India as well. Countless people flock annually to destinations that signify spiritual enlightenment and treat them as non-negotiables.
Especially after COVID-19 and its unpredictable nature, religious travel in India has seen an exponential rise and just continues to grow.
People look towards faith and devotion for absolution. As a way that could combat fear and the unknown and provide a sense of safety, consistently. Thus driving a noticeable increase in religious and spiritual tourism.
Every religion has aided and crafted a space for themselves in the country, leading to some magnificent architectural creations, high displays of devotion, and an amalgamation of cultures that is so rarely found elsewhere.
Depending on the religion, different destinations are frequented by different people.
Hindus have pilgrimage sites like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Rameshwaram, Rishikesh, and Mathura.
Followers of Islam consider Jama Masjid, Ajmer Sharif Dargah, and Hazrat Shrine in Srinagar as locations of high spiritual significance.
For religious purposes, Christians frequent sites like the Basilica of Bom, St. Francis Church, and St. Thomas Mount.
Sikhs have their grand Golden Temple in Amritsar, which is considered their ultimate pilgrimage site, and Buddhists reflect at locations like Bodh Gaya and Nalanda.
People go to great extents to visit these destinations. Fired by the pursuit of seeking god, seeking comfort, and placing hope in the lap of the all-mighty, Indians go to great lengths for just a glimpse of these sites.
With overcrowding almost accepted as a prerequisite at these places now, the fear of pick-pocketing and even the fear of diseases and COVID, nothing has stopped spiritual tourism. It is only on the rise.
A few destinations frequented by pilgrims of the three major religions in India are mentioned below:
1. Hinduism
Hinduism is the most widespread religion in India. It has woven a very strong cultural hold on its followers. With numerous rituals, prayers, dos and don’ts, grand festivals and the inkling to preserve tradition, Hinduism is a widely and wildly followed religion.
A few pilgrimage sites frequented by followers of Hinduism and respected widely are mentioned below. They include –
a) Rishikesh
Rishikesh is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu meditated and crafted a gateway to the Himalayas, It is a site frequented by Hindus. Numerous Ashrams line the city and its bridges Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula are its major attractions. Another reason that draws pilgrims to this region is Yoga.
Considered the Yoga capital of the World, Rishikesh hosts numerous Yoga retreats and events and promotes the teaching of the same.
b) Vaishno Devi
Requiring the pilgrim to undertake a mountainous trek of 14 km to reach the shrine, Vaishno Devi is considered a location that could fulfil all your wishes.
Dedicated to the Goddess Vaishno Devi, it is situated in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir and is considered a hugely culturally significant site.
c) Char Dham
A sacred journey undertaken by pilgrims covering four major destinations of high religious importance, Char Dham is a journey that is supposed to offer you spiritual salvation and eternal contentment.
Consisting of destinations of …
d) Kedarnath
Sitting in the laps of the Himalayas, this picturesque temple is considered to have one of the twelve incarnations of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath is a journey requiring extreme physical effort and is thus considered equally fruitful.
e) Badrinath
Located on the banks of the Alaknanda River, Badrinath is a beautifully carved temple and is considered one of the holiest sites by Hindus. Attracting a large number of devotees, it is of great spiritual significance.
f) Gangotri
The Origination of the river Ganges, Gangotri is one of the Char Dham sites. Dedicated to the Goddess Ganges, it requires trekking to reach and is supposed to offer spiritual salvation.
g) Yamunotri
Located on the banks of the Yamuna River, this site is supposed to be the abode of the Goddess Yamuna. People come here to achieve blessings and dip away their karmic wrongs in the river.
2. Islam
Boasting some unmatched architecture and rich history, Islamic pilgrim sites are breathtaking and of high cultural significance for them. With Islamism having stern rules, dos and don’ts and etiquette, it contributes to and shapes the lives of the followers considerably.
A few pilgrimage sites frequented by religion of Islam and respected widely are mentioned below. They include:
a) Jama Masjid
Housing countless relics and historical pieces of importance, like a hair strand from Prophet Muhammed, Jama Masjid in Old Delhi is one of the most famous and largest mosques in India. Boasting beautiful architecture, it is stunning to look at and can accommodate a large number of devotees.
b) Ajmer Sharif Dargah
The mausoleum of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer Sharif is supposed to provide enlightenment to the visitor. Attracting large numbers of devotees, it is a place of religious importance and is frequented during the Urs Festival.
c) Hazratbal Shrine, Srinagar
Located in a breathtaking location, Hazratbal has beautiful architecture and is visited by a large number of Islamic followers. Situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, it is an important Muslim pilgrimage site hosting historically important relics within itself.
3. Christianity
Christianity, largely present in the southern regions of India, also has a huge cultural influence in the country. With beautiful churches and quiet places of prayer, Christianity adds to the large fabric of India.
A few pilgrimage sites frequented by the religion of Christianity and respected widely are mentioned below. They include –
a) Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Basilica of Bom Jesus is a site frequented by Christians and people otherwise as well. Known for its unique Baroque architecture and having the remains of St Francis Xavier, it is a religiously significant pilgrimage site.
b) St. Thomas Mount, Chennai
Believed to be the place where St Thomas Mount was martyred, it offers great views – a panoramic view of Chennai, houses a church and attracts pilgrims from all over.
c) St. Mary’s Basilica, Bangalore
A Roman Catholic Church, St Mary’s Basilica is known for its beautiful stained glass window and its annual St Mary’s Feast. A festival wherein the church is adorned with lights, and decorated with candles and a procession of the statue of St Mary is carried and displayed in the streets accompanied by hymns.
The religious and cultural fabric of India is intact. A large majority of followers say that they prefer India to be respectful of other religions and believe in togetherness.
With such a rich and deep history and culture, travel comes naturally. And with sites so breathtaking and devotion so strong, there isn’t a doubt that religious travel will only rise from now on.
Your posts are so well-written and engaging You have a way with words that keeps me coming back for more
I genuinely appreciated what you’ve achieved here. The outline is tasteful, your written content fashionable, yet you appear to have acquired some uneasiness regarding what you wish to present forthwith. Undoubtedly, I’ll return more frequently, similar to I have almost constantly, should you sustain this upswing.
The breadth of knowledge compiled on this website is astounding. Every article is a well-crafted masterpiece brimming with insights. I’m grateful to have discovered such a rich educational resource. You’ve gained a lifelong fan!