About Hinduism Hinduism is considered the world’s most ancient and the most evolved living religion, matrixed in the Vedic beliefs, the fertility cults of the Harappan civilization, the shaministic practices of the indigenous Indian cultures.

Vedas are the primary texts of Hinduism - ancient scriptures or revelation of the Hindu teachings compiled by the saints (Rishis) of that period in Sanskrit. The Vedic Period is slated between 2nd and 1st millennia BC and continuing up to 6th Century BC, when it began to transform into Hinduism. The Vedas are also the most ancient extensive texts in an Indo-European language, and as such are invaluable in the study of comparative linguistics. The Upanishads are a continuation of the Vedic philosophy written between 800 and 400 BC to elaborate on how the soul (Atman) can be united with the ultimate truth (Brahman) through contemplation and mediation, as well as the doctrine of Karma-- the cumulative effects of a persons’ actions. The Puranas are post-Vedic texts that summarize the history of the Universe from creation to destruction, genealogies of the kings, heroes and demigods, and descriptions of Hindu cosmology and geography.


As per the religious schools, Hinduism forms a part of the Dharmic religions, as opposed to Abrahamic school, alongwith Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. The major pilgrimage purlieus in India are grouped geographically as North, South and East India Pilgrimage.

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North India Pilgrimage Char (Four) Dham Yatra : This forms holiest of Hindu pilgrimage sites at the Garhwal Himalayas channelized by the holy Ganges. The most famous is the Alaknanda flowing past the Badrinath (3133m above sea level) temple, where pilgrims take a holy dip in Tapt Kund and Hemkund Sahib (holy for both Hindus and Sikhs), trek up the Neelkanth mountain, hunt for Panch Prayag where five rivers meet, stroll through Mana village with its caves and waterfall. At 3584m, is Kedarnath on the banks of Mandakini, famed for its 1000 year old temple with the celestial Jyotirlinga, Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, picturesque lakes like Gandhi Sarovar and Vasuki Tal, treks up Gaurikund and Deoria Tal, Triyuginarayan - the mythological venue of Lord Shiva’s marriage with Parvati and numerous other significant temples flaked on the snow-carpeted locale. The third one is the very origin of the Ganges, Gangotri at Uttar Pradesh where the ethereal sight of the natural rock Shivling submerged in water and the 20 ft. high granite temple deluges the vision. Yamunotri at 3165 mts has a magnificent temple laced by a hot springs (190°F) where they boil rice and potatoes to offer at the temples, trekking tracks, summer retreats like Chamba.

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Born Kashi (City of Light) on the bank of river Ganges, christened Benaras and finally renamed Varanasi, this is one Indian city deemed holiest in the Hindu world. Tens of thousands Hindu pilgrims from round the globe visit Varanasi and actually hope to die and blend in this holy land and get their ashes washed by the holy Ganges straight to heaven. The very dip in this river is believed to be soul-cleansing. Mark Twain, perhaps, gave the city its best appellation when he said Varanasi is “older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together”.

Amarnath (Jammu & Kashmir): At 3888 mts in the Himalayas, the Amarnath cave enshrines the Hindu holy trinity Lord Shiva. The ice lingam is said to have formed naturally of an ice staladmite which wakes up and wanes with the moon. Tours are organized every year during July and August according to Purnima (position of the moon).

Haridwar (Uttaranchal): Considered gateway to the Char Dham for the holy Gangesenters the plains here, Haridwar is one of the major Shaktipeeths, and a major center of arts, science and culture. Some attractions at Haridwar are -- Hari ki Pauri or Brahmakund (the ghat), Chandi Devi temple atop Neelparvat, Mansa devi temple, another Shaktipeeth Maya Devi. The Kumbh Mela (fair) celebrated every 12 years, during which a bath in the Ganges ensures Nirvana, is celebrated in Haridwar alongwith three other places Prayag (Allahabad), Nasik and Ujjain. So crowded is this event that there is a proverb “Kumbh-mela mei bichra hua bhai” (brother separated in the Kumbh fair).

Rishikesh (Uttaranchal): Some 238 km from Delhi and 24 km from Haridwar is Rishikesh at 356 mts altitude above sea-level. The suburban Muni-ki-Reti or the “sands of the sages”; Shivananda Nagar, north of Rishikesh; the temple section of Lakshmanjhula, a little further north; and the assorted ashrams around Swarg Ashram on the east bank, remain a sea of hopeful believers. Prime tourist attractions are suspended bridge, Lakshman Jhula; Bharat Mandir; Parmarth Niketan famous for its Gurukul; Kunjapuri temple for the visual feast of the Garhwal Himalayas; Vasishta Goofa, perfect for meditating; the ancient pond Rishikund; Neelkanth Mahadeo temple situated at a height of 5,500 ft. and 11 km from Lakshman Jhula and so on.

Mathura/Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh): Drive some 135 km south of Delhi, off the Delhi-Agra highway and when the chant “HARE RAMA HARE KRISHNA" becomes clear and incessant, you know you have reached Vrindavan. At an elevation of 3,133 mt, and hardly half hour away from Mathura (birth place of Lord Krishna and a pilgrimage destination), Vrindavan is the insignia of the innocence and mirthfulness of childhood. Some 5000 temples are dotted all over this land that saw the Lord grow into adulthood. The Banke Bihari Temple (famous for the Jhulan Yatra), the ISKCON Temple and its Braja Mandala parikrama a bare-feet walking tour that encompasses all 12 forests in Vrindavana, a dip in the Yamuna river, Govindaji Temple and Krishna Balarama Mandir are what Vrindavan is jaunted to by lacs of devotees all round the year.


Vaishno Devi (Jammu & Kashmir): Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, at 5,200 ft. above sea level, near Katra in Jammu is undoutedly the most popular of all Hindu pilgrimage jaunts. The Goddess is a symbol of Shakti (Power) and it is believed that after the arduous 14 km climb up to reach the temple on foot, one’s heartiest wishes are granted. And once they come true, one must visit the temple again to thank the Goddess.

Shirdi Saibaba (Maharashtra): A small hamlet in Ahmadnagar, Maharashtra (6-hr drive from Mumbai), is raging popular amongst Hindu pilgrims across the globe. Here, Shri Sathya Sai Baba, a saint and an incarnation of Lord Shiva devoted his whole life in the service of humanity. His phenomenal influence makes Shirdi temple and the neighboring Khandoba Mandir, his Samadhi (final resting place), Dwarkamai mosque, Mhasoba temple significant pilgrimage locale.


East India Pilgrimage Puri (60-km from Bhubaneswar, Orissa): The Lord Jagannatha temple at the Puri beach makes it one of the four holy dhams of India - Puri, Dwarka, Rameswaram and Badrinath. The European sailors used it as a veritable navigation point on the Bay of Bengal, calling it the “White Pagoda”. The Rath Yatra (chariot festival), with 43 ft high, 33 ft wide Chariot with 16 wheels and pulled by millions of devotees, is phenomenally popular. About 35 km away if Konark another pilgrim spot, famed for its Sun God temple and the December Dance Festival.

Bhubaneshwar (Orissa): “Bhubaneshwar” means the “abode of God” or “master of the universe” and it was also, once known as the ‘Cathedral of the East’, on account of the large number of shrines. The important ones are Lingaraja Temple, Muktesvara Temple, Brahmeshwara Temple, ISKCON Temple, Parasurameswara Temple.


South India Pilgrimage Tirupathi Balaji (Andhra Pradesh): Famed as the world’s richest temple and a classic example of , the Lord Venkateshwara (Lord of the Universe) shrine on the Seven Hills of Tirumala or the Sacred Hill, is another most visited pilgrimage destination in India. The September Brahmotsavam is one of the most peopled celebrations in the world. The intricately carved Gopurams, the gold plated Cupola over the sanctum sanctorum are sheer visual feasts, and of course the ambience a blend of South Indian culture and Indian religious ardor. The Aina Mahal on the northern side of the Tirumala Raya Mandapam with its large mirrors reflect images in an infinite series something you should not miss.


Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu): Religious Capital of South India and the seat of the Shankaracharya. The noteworthy festivals that hail pilgrims from across the world are the Brahmotsavam of Varadaraja temple in May; Garuda Sevai of Varadaraja temple in June; Float festival of Varadaraja temple in February and November; Kamakshi Ammam Festival of February; Mahashivaratri festival of Kailashanatha temple in February; Panguni Uthiram of Ekambareshwara temple in March-April.

Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu): Some 58 km from Chennai is the land of the once Pallava kings, jaunted by pilgrims to witness the sea-side temple perched on a rocky outcrop enshrining both Shiva and Vishnu. Interconnected cisterns around the temple was to let the sea in to transform the temple into a water shrine. The main hill at Mamallapuram is dotted with pillared halls carved into the rock face. These mandapas, with their graceful columns and intricate figure sculptures bear witness to the artistry of the Pallava rock cutter.

Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu): The temple town of Chidambaram, 58 km south of Pondicherry is known for its Lord Nataraja (Shiva) temple as the Cosmic Dancer. It is one of the five Shaivite mukti sthalams, the other four being Kalahasti, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Tiruvanaikaval. What furthermore adds to the glory of the Chidambaram temples is the fact that a person of any race or religion can visit the shrine and pray.

Rameshwaram (island, Tamil Nadu): A conch shaped island temple town, Rameshwaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. The 17th century Ramanathaswamy Temple has 1200 gigantic granite columns and the water in each of its 22 sacred wells is said to taste different. The presiding deity is the Linga Of Sri Ranganatha, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. Rameshwaram is also popularly referred to as the ‘Benaras of the south’ and a must-visit after visiting Varanasi.