Yatra
India --» Pilgrimage Yatra Destinations
Pilgrimage Yatra Destinations
Amarnath
Amarnath is 145 km east of Srinagar in Kashmir. There is an ice Silva-linga
here that changes size with the seasons, and also as the moon waxes and
wanes it becomes bigger and smaller. On the full moon day the linga is about
6 ft high. Each year on the full moon day of July-August (Sravana) when
the Siva-linga attains its maximum height there is a festival at this cave
temple. It is said that Lord Siva first appeared on this day.
Badrinath
Cradled in the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holiest of
the four main shrines, Badrinath along the left bank river Alaknanda. With
the splendid Neelkanth mountains as the backdrop, it is an important destination
on the scared itinerary of every devour Hindu. Once the spot was carpeted
with 'badris' or wild berries and hence was famous as 'Badri Van'.
Gangotri
Be it man's urge to placate the Gods above or to quench his desire for adventure,
Gangotri is an ideal location. Gangotri, the origin of the sacred river
Ganges, attracts tourists in large numbers every year. The confrontation
with the daunting rivers and attempts to unravel the mysteries of the supernatural
world are ubiquitous sights here. Along with the thrill of conquering nature,
what one experiences here is the mystical aura that India is so famous for.
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari (also spelt as Kanniyakumari) district is bounded by Tirunelveli
district in the north and northeast, by Kerala state in the northwest and
confluence of Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean in the west and south. The coastline
is almost regular except for some points of land projecting into the sea
at Cape Comorin. Kanyakumari is the district headquarters of the district
of the same name.
Kedarnath
Kedarnath is a majestic sight, standing in the middle of a wide plateau
surrounded by lofty snow covered peaks. The present temple, built in the
8th century by Adi Shankaracharya, stands adjacent to the site of an earlier
temple built by the Pandavas. The inner walls of the assembly hall are decorated
with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology. Outside the temple
door a large statue of the Nandi Bull stands as guard.
Konark
Konark Sun Temple is located , in the state of Orissa near the sacred city
of Puri. The sun Temple of Konark is dedicated to the sun God or Surya.
It is a masterpiece of Orissa's medieval architecture. Sun temple has been
declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Mahabalipuram
Konark Sun Temple is located , in the state of Orissa near the sacred city
of Puri. The sun Temple of Konark is dedicated to the sun God or Surya.
It is a masterpiece of Orissa's medieval architecture. Sun temple has been
declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Mathura
The city of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, is located
at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi and 58 km north-west of Agra.
Covering an area of about 3,800 sq. km., today, Brajbhoomi can be divided
into two distinct units - the eastern part in the trans-Yamuna tract with
places like Gokul, Mahavan, Baldeo, Mat and Bajna and the western side of
the Yamuna covering the Mathura region that encompasses Vrindavan, Govardhan,
Kusum Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon.
Puri
Puri is the holiest place in Orissa and one of the biggest pilgrimage centres
in India situated on the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal. Here, the city's
activities generally revolve around the Jagannath Temple where devotees
visit from far and near. The town is divided into two - the old town the
main residential area, including the main shops and huge market area. Most
nights, the beaches host colorful markets and the city is abuzz with life.
Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram is an island situated in the gulf of manner at the very tip
of the Indian peninsula. A very important pilgrim centre of the Indians.
Rameshwaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the
sea to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also
the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing
Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which
is known as the Varanasi the south.
Shirdi
Sai Baba, one of the foremost saints of modern India, lived in the small
village of Shirdi in the state of Maharashtra for sixty years. Due to his
presence there even after his Samadhi, today the small village has transformed
itself as a great spiritual center to people from all religions. Shri Sai
Baba, inspite of his great spiritual stature, never publicized himself through
discoursing, touring and preaching---unlike today's many 'so-called' saints.
Rather, he discouraged unnecessary publicity. But still, his spiritual perfection
is still drawing innumerable devotees to him from all over the world.
Tirupati
Tirupati, one of the richest temples in the country, is the most venerated
Vaishnavite shrine of Lord Venkateswara. It was patronised by the Pallavas,
the Cholas, the Pandyas and the Vijayanagar kings. 130 kms from the city
of Madras (Chennai), this temple is located in the southern Chittoor district
of Andhra Pradesh. Tiru' in Tamil means `Sri'. Hence Tirupati translates
to Sripati or Sri Maha Vishnu.
Vaishno Devi
The shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the most visited pilgrim sites
in India. Situated at a height of 5, 300 ft., the site is located inside
a cave in a hill. One of the most visited pilgrim sites in India, the shrine
of Mata Vaishno Devi is located in a cave, amidst the folds of the Trikuta
Bhagwati hill at a height of 5, 300 ft., in the state of Jammu and Kashmir
(J & K).
Vrindavan
Vrindavan, around 15 km from Mathura, is a major place of pilgrimage, on
the banks of Yamuna . Attracting about 5 lakhs pilgrims every year, it is
noted for its numerous temples- both old and modern. Vrindavan is synonymous
with the innocent mirth and child like playfulness of Shri Krishna. Vrindavan,
the dusty little town known for the temples, big and small, famous and remote
strewn all over the place.
Yamunotri
The Garhwal Himalayas have been blessed with some of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage
sites and Yamunotri is one such. One of the Char Dhams according to Hindu
mythology, Yamunotri is the origin of the sacred river Yamuna. Famous for
its thermal springs and glaciers, it is one of the most important stopovers
on the itinerary of the Hindu pilgrim. According to an old legend, Asit
Muni, the revered sage, used to reside here.