There is no limit to the scope of purpose and reasons to visit a place. Some visit for curiosity, some visit for the love of that place, some visit for relaxation, and then there are some who visit solely to connect with the divine. Since we are exclusively talking about the religious tourism in India, especially the Northern part, you should know that India is the only country in the world to have a heavy population for religious tourism. So let’s take a tour through the most sought after pilgrimages in North India.
Here is the list of the most revered, and awe-inspiring religious destinations in India that are not only intriguing for the local population, despite visiting innumerable times, but also attract a lot of footfall from the foreign tourists.
1. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu & Kashmir: Located on the Trikuta Hills in Jammu, the dwelling place of Goddess Vaishno is amongst the most well known pilgrimages in India. Experience an intriguing pleasure undertaking the laborious trek that further prompts the caverns where the goddess nestles and gives innumerable blessings. Lovely scenery, invading godliness and exciting adventure, this is one excursion in India that will stay in your memory until the end of time. You can either look for the direct Delhi to Jammu cheap flights, or take the direct train to Jammu to encounter this divine experience.
2. Hemkund Sahib, Chamoli, Uttarakhand: Located at an altitude of 4,329 meters above the sea level, Hemkund Sahib is the highest gurudwara of Sikh Community. The gurudwara is sweared by the Sikhs as it is believed that the tenth master Guru Gobind Singh pondered at the very spot in his past birth. Other than being a religious site, it likewise pulls in a lot of nature lovers. Number of waterfalls, thick backwoods and seven peaks of Himalayan ranges, along with the clear lake water are sufficient to draw sightseers. Reaching Hemkund Sahib gurudwara is a perseverance trek as you have to walk 13 km to reach the main spot. A motorable road is accessible till Gobindghat, and after that travelers need to persevere through the harsh terrain as well as tolerate the altitude sickness.
3. Amarnath Cave, Jammu & Kashmir: The sacred Amarnath Cave is located in the beautiful state of Jammu and Kashmir, and can be reached only after a thorough trekking endeavor. The cavern holds significance as one of the antiquated journeys in India. According to a legend, Lord Shiva unveiled the mystery of interminability to his wife Goddess Parvati here, which was overheard by a pair of pigeons. It is additionally believed that even today, a pair of pigeon can be found in the cave. Amarnath is well known for the Shiva Linga that is made naturally by ice here consistently. The Amarnath Yatra is a yearly pilgrimage in which travelers are permitted to trek to the cave sanctuary.
4. Mathura: Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and is known for its culture and heritage. Nearly connected with the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Krishna is said to have passed his youth and pre-adulthood in Braj. As indicated by the Garuda Purana, Mathura along with Ayodhya, Kasi, Avantika, Puri, Kanchi and Dwarka, are the seven destinations which grant moksha.
5. Varanasi: The centre of faith for Hindus, Varanasi is a popular pilgrimage in India. Extraordinarily vivid and sacrosanct, the magnificence of Varanasi lies in the troop of aficionados who fill here each and every day different parts of the nation. The holy river Ganga, winding through the city without a doubt increases the holiness of Varanasi. Likewise, the Ganga Arti conducted formally every morning and evening adds to its divine charm.
So if you are someone visiting the northern part of the country for the first time, and are a spiritual travel, then now you know where to set out for, right? Have a blessed time!