Destinations India More to Explore Essentials Explore This Guide Overview Planning Your Trip How to Get an Indian Visa India's Visa Types, Explained Applying for an E-Visa India's Climate & Seasons Monsoon in India Your Essential Packing List Things to Buy Before You Go What to Pack for Monsoon The Best India Guidebooks How to Save on Your India Trip Where to Go The Top Destinations in India The Most Iconic Sights in India Which Region Is Right for You? India's Top Historical Destinations Romantic Indian Destinations India's Top Hill Stations India's Top National Parks The Best Beaches in India India's Best Backpacker Spots India's Most Spiritual Destinations The Best Luxury Spas in India India Off the Beaten Path India for Adventure Travelers Where to Experience Rural India Things to Do The Top Things to Do in India Palaces & Forts in India India's Best Surfing Beaches Volunteer on a Budget in India 7 Cool Sound & Light Shows India's Most Popular Festivals India's Best Bike Tours See India by Motorcycle India's Top Tribal Tours Offbeat Tours to Take in India Where to Stay India's Best Homestays Palace Hotels in India India's Coolest Treehouse Hotels Top Wildlife & Jungle Lodges The Best Hostels in India Best Budget Hotels in India Getting Around Transport in India: An Overview India's Major Airports India's Best Airlines Domestic Airlines in India Hiring a Car & Driver in India Your Intro to Indian Railways Travel Classes on Indian Trains How to Reserve a Train Ticket How to Find & Board Your Train Tips for Train Travel in India India's Scenic Toy Trains Etiquette 12 Indian Etiquette Don'ts The Top 10 Indian Stereotypes Tipping in India What Does the Head Shake Mean? Health & Safety 9 Challenges You'll Face in India How to Avoid Culture Shock Top 5 Monsoon Health Concerns Language & Logistics Voltage Information for India How to Use Your Cell Phone How to Say Hello in Hindi Often Misunderstood Hindi Terms Hindi Language Books Shopping & Scams Most Common Indian Scams How to Handle Begging in India How to Spot Fake Indian Currency What to Buy in India How to Buy a Sari in India How to Bargain at Indian Markets CLOSE Part of Your Ultimate Trip to India: The Complete Guide Spiritual India: 7 Top Destinations You Shouldn't Miss Where to Best Experience the Spiritual Side of India By Sharell Cook Sharell Cook Sharell Cook lives in Mumbai full-time and has been writing about India travel for TripSavvy since 2008. Travel's editorial guidelines Updated on February 28, 2020 Spiritual India, rich in holy places, traditions and rituals, offers much for those seeking knowledge and awareness. Visit these popular sacred destinations of various faiths to maximize your spiritual experience in India. 01 of 07 Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Christopher Pillitz / Getty Images Address Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India Get directions Web Visit website Varanasi is one of the seven sacred Hindu cities with a very ancient history. Known as the city of Lord Shiva, the god of creation and destruction, it’s believed that anyone who dies here will be liberated from the cycle of reincarnation. The fascinating thing about this mystical city is that its rituals are revealed openly along the many riverside ghats. It's an intense city that attracts Hindu pilgrims and foreigners alike. Plan you trip there with this Varanasi travel guide. 02 of 07 Haridwar, Uttarakhand Exotica.im / Getty Images Address Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India Get directions Web Visit website Ancient Haridwar (the "Gateway to God") is another of the holiest places in India, and one of the oldest living cities. Located at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, it's particularly popular with Hindu pilgrims who come to take a dip in the holy waters of the fast-flowing Ganges River and wash away their sins. Unlike Varanasi, the water is clean and fresh in Haridwar. The evening Ganga Aarti holds a special appeal. Another popular attraction is the Mansa Devi Temple. The largest religious gathering in the world, the Kumbh Mela, is held in Haridwar as well. Plan your trip there with this Haridwar travel guide. 03 of 07 Rishikesh, Uttarakhand Diy13/Getty Images Address Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India Get directions Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga, is a popular place to come and meditate, do yoga, and learn about other aspects of Hinduism. It’s situated a short distance upriver from Haridwar, surrounded by hills on three sides. Rishikesh lures those seeking knowledge and peace with its numerous ashrams and yoga institutes. It especially draws spiritual-seeking foreigners, while Haridwar holds more significance for Hindu pilgrims. Because of their close proximity, many people come to Rishikesh and Haridwar in the same visit. Plan your trip there with this Rishikesh travel guide. There are Rishikesh hotels and guesthouses for all budgets so you can find a great place to stay. 04 of 07 Amritsar, Punjab Vishwaneet Singh / Getty Images Address Amritsar, Punjab, India Get directions Amritsar, in the state of Punjab, was founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru of Sikhs. It’s the spiritual capital of the Sikhs and gained its name, meaning "Holy Pool of Nectar", from the body of water around the Golden Temple. The exquisite Golden Temple attracts pilgrims from all over the world. It looks particularly arresting at night when it’s beautifully lit up, with its imposing pure gold dome illuminated. The Wagah Border is a popular side trip from Amritsar. Plan your trip there with this Amritsar travel guide. 05 of 07 Bodhgaya, Bihar Amos Chapple / Getty Images Address Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India Get directions Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage place in the world. Located in the state of Bihar, it’s here that Lord Buddha became enlightened during intense meditation under a Bodhi tree. The exact spot is now marked by the sprawling Mahabodhi Temple complex. The town is also home to dozens of Buddhist monasteries. Those who are interested will find plenty of meditation and Buddhism courses and retreats on offer. You can visit Bodhgaya on the Mahaparinirvan Express Buddhist Train or plan your trip there with this Bihar travel guide. 06 of 07 Puri, Odisha flocu/Getty Images Puri is one of the top places to visit in Odisha, and one of the four holy Char Dham — sacred abodes associated with Lord Vishnu (the Hindu god of preservation) in India. Lord Vishnu is said to descend to earth during times of trouble to eradicate evil and restore cosmic order. He currently resides in Puri, in the form of Lord Jagannath, to provide protection during the Kali Yuga (dark age). Hindus believe that visiting all the Char Dham will cleanse them of sin, so that they can achieve moksha (liberation from rebirth). According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu dines at Puri (he bathes at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, gets dressed and anointed at Dwarka in Gujarat, and meditates at Badrinath in Uttarakhand). Hence, a great deal of significance is given to food at the Jagannath temple. Unfortunately, only Hindus are allowed to go inside the temple. However, the surrounding area is fascinating, with many small temples, shops, and an area where thousands of clay pots are stored and transported daily to cook in food for the deities. Explore it on this insightful three-hour guided tour of the Puri Old City conducted by local responsible tourism company Grass Routes Journeys. You can also find out more in this guide to the Jagannath temple in Puri. 07 of 07 Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu Saurabh/Getty Images Address Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India Get directions Located around four hours from Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Tiruvannamalai attracts spiritual seekers to its Sri Ramana Ashram and Hindu pilgrims who walk around holy Mount Arunachala and pray at Arunachaleswar Temple, where Lord Shiva is worshiped as the element of fire. Mount Arunachala is called the "most silent place on earth" as its powerful energy has the astonishing ability to quieten the mind. Meditate in a cave up the mountain and discover it for yourself. If you would like to connect with a remarkable guide and healer, Ashok from Bougainvillea Tours is highly recommended. The Top Things to Do in India Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit