Popular Pilgrimage Sites In India

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located in one of the oldest living cities in the world, Varanasi. It is considered one of the holiest sites for Hinduism in India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Hindus from around the world visit here for the temple darshan and to take a dip in the Ganges which is believed to lead a devotee to Moksha.

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is India’s largest mosque and an important religious place for Muslims. It is situated near the busy street of Chandni Chowk, Delhi. It stands across the road from Red Fort. This magnificent mosque was built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan. It is busiest during Id when thousands of people visit to offer their prayer/namaz. There are two minarets inside the mosque, only the one at the southern end is open to the public for a nominal fee. A magnificent view of the whole Delhi awaits when you reach the top of the minaret.

Golden Temple

Now we are talking about Sikh’s most important pilgrimage site that is Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib. It is located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab. Not only Sikhs but people of different religions visit to witness this grandeur. There are also some people who solely come to witness its world’s largest free kitchen or the langar.

Vaishno Devi Temple

Popular over the world as Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata, which means, the Mother who fulfills whatever Her children wish for, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of the three-peaked mountain named Trikuta (pronounced as Trikoot), in Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers in India. Every year millions of visitors visit the temple.

Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. It is almost as important as Mecca is to Muslims, to Buddhists. It is the very place that houses the Mahabodhi tree under which Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. It is located in Bihar.

Kedarnath

Kedarnath is one of the most sacred pilgrimages of Lord Shiva situated in the Rudraprayag district of the Garhwal region in Uttarakhand. Kedarnath is one of the Char Dham in Uttarakhand and the most important Dham among Panch Kedar. Kedarnath range stands one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It is on the bucket list of almost every Hindu devotee.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is located in Goa, India, and is the oldest church in Goa. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. An ‘Exposition’ or public viewing of his body happens, once every decade, to allow pilgrims to view it. The next exposition is in 2024.