Holy Sites in India - I

Hindus have a sacred tradition of pilgrimage to holy sites, although it is not considered mandatory. Most Hindus do embark on one at some point in their lives – mostly by choice, and sometimes due to necessity, for the performance of specific religious rites. Hindus believe that the act of undertaking a pilgrimage and the considerable discipline and abstinence it often demands of pilgrims helps in the atonement of sins and ultimately leads to the eternal liberation of their souls from the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

Some of the most famous sites of Pilgrimage in Northern India are:

Kashi / Varanasi: The city of Varanasi, considered by Hindus to be the holiest of all places, is believed to be the oldest surviving city in the world. It has been a centre of culture and learning for over 3000 years. Hindus believe that by dying in Kashi, their souls will be liberated from the cycle of life and death.

Vaishno Devi: Dedicated to Shakti, the Mother Goddess, this is the most visited shrine in North India. The temple is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir at an altitude of 5200 feet and has natural rock formations of the Goddess in the forms of Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati.

Rishikesh and Haridwar: Located at the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the Ganges, Rishikesh is the gateway to the holy Himalayan shrines of