Hindu pilgrimage sites in India

In Hinduism, the yatra (pilgrimage) to the tirthas (sacred places) has special significance for earning the punya (spiritual merit) needed to attain the moksha (salvation) by performing the darśana (viewing of deity), the parikrama (circumambulation), the yajna (sacrificial fire offering), the Dhyana (spiritual contemplation), the puja (worship), the prarthana (prayer, which could be in the form of mantra - sacred chants, bhajan - prayer singing, or kirtan - collective musical prayer performance), the dakshina (alms and donation for worthy cause), the seva (selfless service towards community, devotees or temple), the bhandara (running volunteer community kitchen for pilgrims), etc. These sacred places are usually located on the banks of sacred waters, such as sacred rivers or their tributaries (among the rigvedic rivers of sapta sindhu the trio ganges-yamuna-saraswati are considered most sacred), the kundas (pond or lake, among these the Lake Manasarovar is considered most scared), the ghats (water bodies with stairs such as Ghats in Varanasi), or the stepwells (among these the rani ki vav in the form of inverted temple is considered most spectacular), or the temple tanks.

In India there are 7 Sapta Puri holy cities, 4 Dhams (Char Dham) and 12 Jyotirlings devoted to the Lord Shiva, 51 Shakti Pithas devoted to the feminine manifestation of the god, the eight swayambhu Vishnu temples (Badrinath, Naimisharanya, Saligram Muktinath, Srimushnam, Tiruchirappalli, Tirupati, Nanguneri, Pushkar) and the important Lord Rama circuit (Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Hampi and Rameswaram) and Lord Krishna circuit (Braj, Kurukshetra and Dwarka).

• Holy Places: Himalayan Chota Char Dham - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Haridwar-Rishikesh, Mathura-Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Dwarka and Rameswaram.
• Holy Fairs: The Kumbh Mela (the "pitcher festival") is one of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimages that is held four times every twelve years; the location is rotated among the four cities of Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. The Mahamaham in temple town of Kumbakonam is also celebrated once in 12 years. Annual Gita Mahotsav at Kurukshetra, Shravani Mela at Deoghar, and Pitrapaksha Mela at Gaya are also notable holy fairs.
• Holy Temples: the Char Dham of Rameswaram, Dwarka, Puri and Badrinath, Katra, home to the Vaishno Devi temple; Puri home to Vaishnava Jagannath temple and Rath Yatra celebration; Tirumala - Tirupati, home to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple; Sabarimala home to Swami Ayyappan; the 108 Divya Desams; the Shakti Peethas; the twelve Jyotirlingas; the seven Sapta Puri; the Pancha Bhoota Stalam.
• Holy Deity : Kuladaivat Hindu families have their own family patron deity. This deity is common to a lineage, a clan or a locality.
• Samadhis (shrines) of Saints: Alandi, Samadhi of Dnyaneshwar: Mantralayam, samadhi of Raghavendra Tirtha, Belur Math which enshrine that Holy remains of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda Puri, and other direct Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, Tulsi Ghat, Varanasi where Saint Tulsidas left his mortal coil, Samadhi Mandir of Meher Baba in Meherabad, Samdhi Mandir of Sai Baba of Shirdi at Shirdi, Samadhi Mandir of Saint Kabir at Gorakhpur, near Varanasi, Panchaganga Ghat, Varanasi where Trailanga Swami lived and left his mortal body, Karar Ashram, Puri where Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, attained the Mahasamadhi.
• All the tirth places which are important in Hinduism is mentioned below. Madhva saint Vadiraja Tirtha of sixteenth century has written Tirtha Prabandha a document on travelogue of pilgrimage centres throughout India.

Most visited Pilgrimage Places

Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi

Ayodhya is an ancient holy city in Uttar Pradesh, which is one of the seven holy Hindu Saptapuri cites, and considered the home to Ram Janmabhoomi, the birth place of Rama. The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, India is a Hindu temple, that was inaugurated on 22 January 2024 after a prana pratishtha (consecration) ceremony. In Hindu tradition, this temple is believed to be located at an ancient pilgrimage site of Ram Janmabhoomi, the mythical birthplace of Rama, a principal deity of Hinduism. Ayodhya's Ram temple is projected to have 50 million visitors per year, which will make it the top pilgrimage site in the world.

Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi)

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the ancient holy city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines. The presiding deity is known by the names Vishwanath and Vishweshwara (IAST: Viśvanātha and Viśveśvara), literally meaning Lord of the Universe. The temple has been managed by a board of trustees set up by the government of Uttar Pradesh since 1983. On 1 January 2023, a record 3.35 lakh pilgrims visited the temple. In the month of January 2023, the temple saw an average footfall of above 45,000 per day. According to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, 10 crore (1 billion) visitors have made the pilgrimage to this temple since the inauguration of the corridor in December 2021.

Tirupati Balaji (Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala)

Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala, also known as Tirupati Balaji Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the hills of Tirumala at Tirupati in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared on the earth to save mankind from the trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. Venkateswara is known by many other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa. The temple is run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which is under the Andhra Pradesh Government. The head of TTD is appointed by Andhra Pradesh Government. The temple is one of the Pancha Kshethram where Maha Lakshmi was born as Bhargavi - the daughter of Maharishi Bhrigu. The other four temples of the Pancha Kshethram are Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam, Oppiliappan temple, Nachiyar Koil and Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem. Tirumala hills are part of Seshachalam Hills range. The hills are 853 metres (2,799 ft) above sea level and comprise seven peaks, representing the seven heads of Adisesha. The temple lies on the seventh peak—Venkatadri, on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank. Hence the temple is also referred to as "Temple of Seven Hills", and it is one of the top Hindu pilgrimage destinations in India.

Vaishno Devi Temple (Jammu)

Vaishno Devi Temple, also known as the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and Vaishno Devi Bhavan, is a Hindu mandir (temple) located in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, dedicated to Vaishno Devi, a manifestation of Durga. It is located on the Trikuta mountain at 5,000 feet elevation. The Shakti tradition considers it to be a Shakti Pitha. The temple is governed by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and has been chaired by the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir since August 1986. It is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites in north-west India, with millions of devotees visiting the hill temple annually. In 2018, the Vaishno Devi shrine reported that it had received 8.5 million pilgrims that year.

List of Important Pilgrimage Places

Haridwar-Rishikesh (Maya Puri) region

The importance of Maya Puri (Haridwar)-Rishikesh) tirth region is clearly mentioned in puranas. This tirth is located in Uttarakhand, India. Haridwar tirth region is mainly dedicated to shiva and Parvati, whereas Vishnu is primarily worshipped in Rishikesh tirth region.

Temples in Haridwar Tirth region:-

1.Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple

2.Shitla mata Temple (Sati mata janmsthan)

3.Narayani shila Temple

4.Mansa Devi Temple

5.Maya Devi Temple

6.Chandi Devi Temple

7.Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple

8.Paradeshwar Mahadev Temple

9.Nileshwar Mahadev Temple

10.Har ki Paudi Ganga Ghat(Ganesh ji Temple)

11.Dakshin Kali Temple

12.Aanand Bhairav Temple

Temples in Rishikesh Tirth Region:-

1.Shri Hrishikesh Narayan Temple (Bharat Mandir)

2.Veerabhadra Temple

3.Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

4.Laxman temple

5.Shatrughna Temple

6.Chandreshwar Mahadev temple

Naimisharanya

Naimisa-Forest or Naimisharanya(Misrikh-Neemasar) is a Vaishnav tirth region located in Uttar Pradesh, India. Vishnu is mainly worshipped in this tirth.

Temples in Misrikh tirth region:-

1.Rishi Dhadichi Temple

2.Dhadichi Kund

Temples in Neemsar(Naimisharanya) tirth region:-

1.Naimishnath Vishnu Temple

2.Chakra Tirth Temple

3.Bhooteshwar Mahadev Temple

4.Vyas Gaddi

5.Sut Gaddi

6.Chakranarayan Temple

7.Hanuman Garhi Temple

8.Lalita Devi Temple

9.Devdeveshwar Mahadev Temple

10.Gomti river (Dashasumedh ghat)

11.Hatya-Haran Tirth (Hatya-Haraneshwar Mahadev Temple)

Tirths of Uttarakhand

kedar Tirth Region:-

In kedar Tirth mainly Shiva and Parvati is worshipped.

1.Kedarnath Temple

2.Gaurikund Temple

3.Triyuginarayan Temple

4.Guptkashi Temple

5.Ukhimath Omkareshwar Temple

6.Kalimath Temple

7.Tungnath Temple

8.Rudranath Temple

9.Madhyamaheshwar Temple

10.Bhairav Temple,kedarnath

11.Gopinath Temple, Gopeshwar

12.Munkatia Ganesh Temple

13.Anasuya Devi Temple, Gopeshwar

Badri tirth Region:-

In Badri Tirth mainly Vishnu and Lakshmi is worshipped.

1.Badrinath Temple

2.Kalpeshwar Temple

3.Bhavishya Badri Temple

4.Vishnuprayag Temple

5.Kuber Temple, Pandukeshwar

6.Yog dhyan Badri Temple, Pandukeshwar

7.Dhyan Badri Temple

8.Vyas Gufa, Mana

9.Vriddha Badri Temple

10.Joshimath Narsingh Mandir

Panch Prayag Tirth Region:-

1.Uma devi Temple, Karnaprayag

2.Umra Narayan Temple

3.Rudranath Temple, Rudraprayag

4.Nandprayag Temple

5.Adi Badri Temple, Karnaprayag

6.Augustmuni Temple

7.Neelmegha Vishnu Temple, Devaprayag

8.Dhari Devi Temple

9.Koteshwar Mahadev Temple

10.Chamunda devi Temple, Rudraprayag

11.Tungeshwar Mahadev Temple

12.Kartik Swami Temple

13.Indrasani Devi Temple, Kandali, Rudraprayag

14.Karmajeet Temple, Pillu, Rudraprayag

kumaon tirth Region:-

1.Bagnath Temple,Bageshwar

2.Baijnath Temple, Garur

3.Jageshwar Dham

4.Kot Bhramari Temple ,Kajyuli

5.Devidhura Varahi Temple

6.Poornagiri Temple

7.Danda Nagraja Temple

Garhwal tirth Region:-

1.Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple

2.Daat Kali Temple, Dehradun

3.Santala Devi Temple, Dehradun

4.Sem Mukhem Nag Temple

5.Budha Kedar Temple

6.Surkanda Devi Temple

7.Uttarkashi Shiva-Shakti Temple

8.Lakhamandal Temple

9.Yamunotri Temple

10.Gangotri Temple

11.Gaumukh

12.Shani Dev Temple,Kharsoli

13.Kyunkaleshwar Temple

14.Mahasu Devta Temple, Hanol

15.Prachin Bhairav Temple, Gangotri

Shookar kshetra

In Narsingh Puran, It is mentioned that Shookar kshetra in one of the abodes of Vishnu which is Located in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Varah form of Vishnu. Today shookar kshetra consist of parts of Kasganj and Bulandsahar District. Whole Shookar kshetra is located on the banks of the river Ganga.

Temples in Shookar Kshetra(Soron) tirth:-

1.Shookar Temple(Varah Temple),Soron[Kasganj district]

2.Har ki paudi Teerth (Holy Tank),Soron[kasganj district]

3.Belon Devi Temple,Belon [Bulandsahar district]

4.kalyani Devi Temple,Karanwas [Bulandsahar District]

5.Ram ghat (ganga ghat) near Narora[Bulandsahar District]

6.Raj ghat(ganga ghat) near Narora[Bulandsahar District]

7.Suryakund,Soron [Kasganj District]

8.Navdurga Temple,Soron [Kasganj District]

9.Batuk Bhairav Nath ji Temple,Soron [Kasganj District]

10.Sheetla Mata Temple,Soron [Kasganj District]

11.Laddu Waale Balaji Mandir,Soron [Kasganj District]

Kanyakubj

kanyakubj or Kannauj is a very ancient tirth present in Uttar Pradesh,India.It is also has a great importance in Indian history. It was the capital of the Harshvardhan dynasty. Its importance is given in Devi Bhagwat puran and Brahma puran.Brahmins from kanyakubj are world wide famous and are regularly appointed as the head priest of many hindu temples located in kannauj and north india.

Major Temples located in Kannauj Tirth are:-

1.Gauri shankar temple

2.Phoolmati Devi temple

3.Annapoorna Temple, Tirwaganj

4.Dauleshwar Mahadev Temple, tirwaganj

5.Govardhani Devi Temple

6.Gangeshwarnath Temple, chhibramau

7.Mansheshwarnath Temple, chhibramau

8.Kalika Devi Mandir, chhibramau

9.Bagiya Waale Hanumanji Temple, Chhibramau

10.Maa Aanandi Devi Temple,Prempur

Braj

Braj, also called as Mathura Puri is a 84 kos tirth kshetra present in the state of Uttar Pradesh,India. It is dedicated to Vishnu as krishna. Today this Braj region consist of mathura district of uttar pradesh and some parts of the state of Haryana and Rajasthan.Temples present here are established by the Grandson of Krishna, "Vajranabh". Therefore this tirth is known by the name of Vajranabh as Braj.This tirth is mentioned in skand puran,bhagvat puran,Brahma vaivarta puran,etc.

Braj Region is divided into many villages,these villages and their respective temples are mentioned below:-

Mathura tirth region:-

1.Shri Keshav Deo Temple

2.Shri Bhooteshwar Mahadev Temple

3.Shri Rangeshwar Mahadev temple

4.Shri Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple

5.Shri Galteshwar Mahadev Temple

6.Shri Pipleshwar Mahadev Temple

7.Vishram ghat(Yamuna mandir)

8.Chamunda Mata Temple

9. Shri mathura Devi Temple

10.Kankali devi Temple

11.Mahavidya devi Temple

12 Shantanu Bihari Temple

13.Dirgh vishnu Temple

Gokul-Mahavan-Baldeo Tirth Region

1.Gokulnathji Temple(Nand Bhavan 84 Khamba )

2.Nand Bhavan,Gokul

3.Chandravali Mata Temple

4.Chintaharan Mahadev Temple

5.Brahmaand ghat

6.Raman Reti Temple

7.Baldeo Temple

8.Bandi Anandi Manomanccha maa Temple

9.Rawal Radha Rani Temple

Vrindavan tirth Region:-

1.Bankey Bihari Temple

2.Radha Raman Temple

3.radha Damodar Temple

4 Radha Govind dev ji temple

5.Radha Shyam sundar Temple

6.Radha Madan Mohan Temple

7.Radha Gokulnand Temple

8.Radha Gopinath Temple

9.Radha Vallabh Temple

10.Shri Garud Govind ji Temple

11.Nidhivan

12.Mota ganesh ji Temple

13.Sewa kunj

14.Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple

15.chamunda Mata Temple

16.Katayani Mata Temple

Govardhan Tirth kshetra:-

1.Giriraj ji Temple,Daanghati

2.Giriraj ji Temple,Jatipura

3.Giriraj ji Temple,Mansi Ganga

4.Luk luk Dauji Temple

5.Chandra Sarovar

6.Kusum sarovar

7.Radha Kund

8.Haridev ji Temple

9.Punchhari ka Lauthra Temple

10.Chakleshwar Mahadev Temple

11.Indra Maan Daman Temple

12.Mansa Devi Temple

13.Vankhandi Mahadev Temple

14. Kundeshwar Mahadev Temple

15.Radha Kund Mukharvind temple

16.Narayan Sarovar

17.lalit Kund

7.Ra

List of Hindu pilgrimage sites in India

See also

• The Archaeology of Hindu Ritual
• Culture of India
• Hindu pilgrimage sites of world
• Kumbh Mela
• List of Hindu festivals
• List of Parikrama pilgrim circuits
• List of Parikrama pilgrim sites
• Tourism in India
• Yatra

References

Further reading

• Bhardwaj, Surinder Mohan (1983). Hindu Places of Pilgrimage in India: A Study in Cultural Geography. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-04951-2.
• Lochtefeld, James G. (28 December 2009). God's Gateway : Identity and Meaning in a Hindu Pilgrimage Place: Identity and Meaning in a Hindu Pilgrimage Place. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-974158-8.
• Jacobsen, Knut A. (5 March 2013). Pilgrimage in the Hindu Tradition: Salvific Space. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-59038-9.