Pilgrimage Tour in India – A Guide to Travel

Ancient period, India was a known most civilized and culturally developed country, the home of great poets, saints, philosopher, rulers, legendary warriors. Due to rich culture and heritage, the various regions of the world had been originated and flourished in India. From ancient era mystique and mythology in the soil of this country consequences plenty wonderful pilgrimage and worship places, these religious monuments gained a key prominence and evidence of most visited Indian places by locals and overseas tourists. India being versatile and a huge country, is known as divine destination of all kinds of pilgrims following any belief around the world. India has been quite famous all over the world, for its religious, spirituality and tolerance and its secular characteristics, also known as “yogabhoomi" and the gateway to the almighty heavens.

• Kedarnath: Kedarnath is located around 220 kilo meters distance from Rishikesh in Uttaranchal region. This wonderful and pious pilgrimage town is at the altitude of 3580 meters, laid on the amazing mountains of Kedarnath in Himalaya. One of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus from all over the world. Often referred to as the abode of Lord Shiva. The daunting temple of Kedarnath is beautifully sounded by the lofty snow caped mountains and peaks. Indian renowned saint-philosopher Adi Shankaracharya built the temple in 8th centaury. This is one of the pilgrimage sites out of the 5 Kedarnath Shrines in India. This temple is constructed on the old temples which were built by Pandavas. There is Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya Chorabari is named Gandhi Sarovar with floating ice on the glittering water of the lake and Vasuki pond.
• Badrinath: The temple of Shri Badrinathji is 15 mt.high, built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull and spire is Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Set amidst a picturesque valley, at an altitude of 3,133 mt. above sea-level, it is located on the right bank of holy river Alaknanda. The other temples and places of worship worth a mention in Uttar Pradesh are Vishvanath Temple (Varanasi), Vindhyachal Temple, Rishikesh, Naina Devi Temple, Mathura, Mansa Devi, Har Ki Pauri, Ghat (Varanasi), Mathura-Vrindavan, Hemkund Sahib.
• Amritsar: The Golden Temple at Amritsar, is the most famous of Sikhs monuments, ornamented with a gilt by Raja Ranjit Singh. Surrounded with water on all the sides, it was erected in the 16th century. The mandir, a two storeyed structure is built on a 67 ft square of marble. Anandpur Sahib in Punjab is one of the most revered places of pilgrim for the Sikh community.
• Ajmer: Pushkar', 11 Kms West of Ajmer, along the picturesque Pushkar Lake lies the tranquil town with deep religious significance. An important pilgrimage centre of Hindus, flourishing with 400 temples and a lake encircles by 52 ghats. The biggest attraction being the temple of Lord Brahma. Pushkar is also the site for one of the largest and most colorful cattle fairs in the world.
• Varanasi: The major attraction of Varanasi is the long strings of ghats, which line the western bank of the Ganges. There are over a 100 bathing and burning ghats but the Manikarnika Ghat is the most sacred of them all. This is the main burning ghats and one of the most auspicious places where a Hindu can be cremated. Dasaswamedha Ghat is probably the most convenient starting point. At the time of sunrise, people visit this ghat to get an interesting introduction to the river. Here you'll witness the throng of people who come to the edge of the Ganges not only for a ritual bath, but to practice yoga, offer blessings, buy paan, sell flowers, get a massage, play cricket, have a swim or get a shave. Apart from the many ghats lining the river, the city's other highlights include the Golden Temple also known as Vishwanath Temple, built in a roofed quadrangle with stunning gilded towers. Shopping at markets famous for their ornamental brass work, lacquered toy, shawls, silks and sitars; visiting the nearby Buddhist centre of Sarnath. The Durga Mata temple was built in 18th century, stained in red with ochre is also a must see.

Travel Planning:

As India is a large geographic country and all pilgrims are spread throughout its’ boundary, it is very difficult to plan a trip where you can visit all place at one go. So choose the favorite tour and place which is nearby from your city and plan your travel accordingly. You can check flights, train or bus based on your travel budget. Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For Bus form bangalore to pune
online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.