Looking to Travel to India for a Pilgrimage? Know the 12 Best Pilgrimage Places in India
India is a nation with a rich cultural heritage and deep religious values. Thousands of people from all over the world travel to India in search of spiritual enlightenment and visit various pilgrimage sites.
The majority of these pilgrimage sites are nestled away in locations endowed with unmatched natural beauty.
Pilgrimage places in India are of great significance to the people of this country; if you wish to return home with a renewed sense of self, consider visiting these top 12 pilgrimage sites in India:-
Vaishno Devi (State of Jammu & Kashmir, India)
Jammu’s Vaishno Devi shrine, located near Katra, is one of the most significant Indian pilgrimage destinations. The temple is located at an altitude of 1,600 metres and can be reached by a strenuous ascent. One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, it is devoted to the goddess Shakti.
Best Time to Visit: Vaishno Devi is open for pilgrims throughout the year, but the best time to undertake the journey is between March and October
Nearest Prominent Airport: Jammu Airport
Varanasi (State of Uttar Pradesh, India)
The ancient city of Varanasi is regarded as one of the holiest cities, and numerous temples are located on the banks of the Ganga river. Sankat Mochan Temple and Kashi Vishwanath Temple are two of the most frequented in the city. The annual Ganga Mahotsav honours India’s rich cultural legacy.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Varanasi is during the winter months (November to February). Although it gets fairly cold during the winter, this is the best time when you can explore the holy city without getting tired. The average low temperature is around 5°
Nearest Prominent Airport: Varanasi Airport
Tirupati (State of Andhra Pradesh, India)
Tirupati, the spiritual capital of Andhra Pradesh, is the seat of one of the most important Hindu gods, Vishnu, and attracts a vast number of devotees throughout the entire year. Spiritual seekers are obligated to visit the perpetually crowded Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.
Best Time to Visit: Winters in Tirupati are pleasant and ideal for temple tours. The minimum temperature usually doesn’t dip below 15°C, keeping the weather comfortable. You could need light woollens at night to keep you warm. March to June: Summers in Tirupati are hot and humid.
Nearest Prominent Airport: Tirupati Airport
Kainchi Dham (State of Uttarakhand, India)
Kainchi Dham is a Hanuman temple & Ashram which is established by a great saint Neem Karoli Baba in the 1960s. It’s a holy temple surrounded by hills and trees and a river flowing beside it. You can feel the great strengths and presence of Hanuman Ji in the Ashram. This place has achieved recognition owing to the ashram of the famous Neem Karoli Baba. The scenic location adds to the beauty of the place. It is located in between two hills that cut and cross each other to create the shape of scissors. That’s why this place is called “Kainchi Dham”.
In the 70s Steve Jobs (Ex CEO of Apple) once visited and meditated in this temple and Mark Zuckerberg (CEO of Facebook) also visited this place.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Kainchi Dham in Nainital is from February till June. It is the time when Kainchi Dham experiences pleasant weather.
Nearest Prominent Airport: Jolly Grant Airport
Golden Temple (State of Punjab, India)
Guru Arjan Singh, the fifth Guru of the Sikh religion, constructed Harmandar Sahib, better known as the Golden Shrine. He also founded the Adi Granth in this temple. It is located in the city of Amritsar, which is constantly illuminated and is the holiest site for Sikhs.
The temple has four entrances and is surrounded by a gorgeous lake whose water is regarded as Amrit or holy water. Within and around the temple are inscriptions and elaborate sculptures that make it an even more captivating sight.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Amritsar is between November and March when the weather is comparatively pleasant and ideal for sightseeing and visiting the Golden Temple.
Nearest Prominent Airport: Amritsar Airport
Bodh Gaya (State of Bihar, India)
Bodh Gaya, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India, is home to the Mahabodhi Temple, which contains the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha obtained nirvana (enlightenment). This temple overlooks the meditating monks; you may either join them, which will undoubtedly make you feel revitalised and alive, or you can explore the temple grounds and find inner peace.
Best Time to Visit: Owing to its huge Buddhist following, tourist and scholars often visit Bodh Gaya irrespective of the season. However, the peak tourist season in Bodh Gaya is between October and March when the temperature is moderate and the weather is pleasant for visiting different attractions in the town.
Nearest Prominent Airport: Gaya Airport
Goa’s Basilica of Bom Jesus (State of Goa, India)
This World Heritage Site is treasured due to the relics of Saint Francis Xavier, and its baroque architecture is exemplary. The silver coffin containing the body of Saint Francis Xavier is put in the tomb donated by the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Not only is this 408-year-old basilica vital to Christians, but it is also a wonderful destination for spiritual seekers. Each year, a big number of tourists visit Goa, and this church has captivated many of them.
Best time to Visit: Mid-November to Mid-February: These are the best months to visit goa since the weather is pleasantly cool and comfortable.
Nearest Prominent Airport: Goa Airport
Shirdi (State of Maharashtra, India)
The holy town of Shirdi in Maharashtra is connected with Sai Baba, the saint who was adored by adherents of all religions and who is reported to have performed several miracles. The most important festivals held at his temple are Ramanavami, Guru Purnima, and Vijayadashami.
Best Time to Visit: Weather-wise, December to March is the best time to visit Shirdi
Nearest Prominent Airport: Shirdi Airport
Haridwar (State of Uttar Pradesh, India)
Haridwar is the city of deities. People cleanse their sins in the holy Ganges River in Uttarakhand’s lovely, albeit busy city of Haridwar. Devotees and pilgrims begin their trip to Chaar Dhaam from this location. Haridwar is one of India’s sapta puri or seven holy pilgrimage places, and you can replenish your soul in the atmosphere of this dynamic, developing, yet spiritually rising city.
Best Time to Visit: While the town experiences a moderate climate all through the year, the best time to visit Haridwar is between November and March as the weather is cool and pleasant when you are out exploring the place.
Nearest Prominent Airport: Delhi Airport
Ajmer Sharif Dargah (State of Rajasthan, India)
Ajmer, one of the most historically sought places, is home to the renowned Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Dargah, which has attracted not only Sufi worshippers but also spiritual seekers from throughout the world
It comprises three main gates, one of which is the Shahjahani Gate, which was constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The Kalandars—friends of Garib Nawas—arrive from Delhi on the day of Urs—the death anniversary of Moinuddin Chisti, which is renowned as the primary attraction during that period.
Best time to Visit: October to February: These months constitute the winter season in Ajmer and can be considered a good time to visit.
Nearest Prominent Airport: Jaipur Airport
Haji Ali Dargah (State of Maharashtra, India)
In the waters of Worli Bay, in the heart of Mumbai, is the shrine of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. The Indo-Islamic architecture is certain to captivate you.
As you wander through the intricate carvings and inscriptions, your appreciation for the grandeur of this Dargah will only grow. Its widespread popularity in India makes it an event that you should not miss.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai is between October and March.
Nearest Prominent Airport: Mumbai Airport
Puri (State of Orissa, India)
The Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s holy beach resort of Puri is well-known. Devoted to Lord Jagannath, the temple’s Rath Yatra (or chariot festival) attracts worshippers from all over the world to celebrate the procession of the deities from the temple to the ocean.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Puri is from June to March
Nearest Prominent Airport: Shree Jagannath Airport