India is home to various religions and cultures. The people of India are very religious and prefer to visit holy destinations to wash off their sins and seek blessings. People of different cultures and religions coexist in India. So you will find temples, gurdwaras, and mosques adjacent in various parts of the country. North India houses some of the best holy destinations of India. There are many pilgrim places in India which have great significance. Sometimes, it becomes very tough to choose which one to visit. However, if you are planning to hit the road on a pilgrimage, go through our list of the top 10 holy destinations of North India.
List of the 10 Holy Destinations of North India
- Haridwar
- Amarnath
- Golden Temple
- Dharamsala
- Bodhgaya
- Rishikesh
- Kedarnath
- Manikaran Sahib
- Sarnath
- Uttarkashi
1. Haridwar
Haridwar is one of the holiest pilgrimages in India because devotees believe it is the gateway to heaven. Quietly situated in the Himalayan foothills, it reverberates with the chiming of temple bells. The holy river in Haridwar resonates with Vedic hymns of the evening rituals. It has temples everywhere dedicated to different Gods. Positioned above the hills, Haridwar offers a bird’s eye view of the entire city. Haridwar is one of the places where Kumbmela happens once in 12 years. It is not just a place of religious importance and is famous for ayurvedic clinics, yoga and meditation.
Suggestion Tours
- 2 Days Haridwar Rishikesh Tour
- Delhi Agra Haridwar Tour
- 4 Days Mussoorie Haridwar Tour
- Mussoorie Rishikesh Haridwar Tour
- Haridwar Rishikesh Corbett Tour
2. Amarnath
Amarnath is a paradise for ardent followers of Lord Shiva. It is a place of utmost reverence and a source of amazement due to the natural formation of ice Shiva Linga. The devotees visit this temple during the Shravan month when the sight of the natural ice formation of Shiv Linga mesmerises them. The Shiva Linga starts to melt and disappears slowly after the Shravan month. Amarnath temple is situated 3,888 metres above sea level and attracts pilgrims from all over the country. If we try to understand the meaning of Amarnath, it would be awe-inspiring. It has a divine meaning- Amar means immortal, and Nath means God. This temple is a place of spiritual importance for another reason. Lord Shiva shared the secret about immortality with his divine consort, Parvathy, in Amarnath.
3. Golden Temple
The Golden Temple is next on the list of the top 10 holy destinations of North India. Located at Amritsar, the Golden Temple is a celebrated place for the Sikh religion. It is one of the most iconic places that reflect the heroism of Punjab. The place speaks of spiritualism, and the day starts here with early morning areas in the Gurudwaras. There is a holy pool in the complex of Gurudwara where pilgrims take a holy bath before attending the Morning Prayer. The best time to visit the Golden Temple is from October to March.
Suggestion Tours
- Amritsar Golden Temple Tour
- Luxury Golden Temple Package
- Delhi Agra Golden Temple Tour
- Golden Temple Trip from Delhi
- Golden Temple Tour
- Vaishno Devi with Golden Temple Tour
4. Dharamsala
Located 18 km from Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala is the holy abode of His Holiness Dalai Lama. The place is a refuge for the Tibetan monks. The Tibetan temple is located in Mc Leodganj, and people from all parts of the country come to Dharamsala to attend the discourses of His Holiness. The best time to visit Dharamshala is from October to June. Plan your trip accordingly for a blissful experience as it is one of the top 10 holy destinations in North India.
5. Bodhgaya
Buddhists consider this place as sacred as Lord Budha attained samadhi. The bodhi tree in Bodhgaya Bihar is the sole and the most fortunate witness of different stages of attainment of enlightenment. The emperor Asoka built a shrine in the 3rd century BC to note Budha’s enlightenment. During the 1st century BC, his successor built a stone railing near the shrine. There are idols dedicated to demi-gods like the Sun God and Indra. The panels of the temple walls depict carvings of beasts.
6. Rishikesh
Located in Uttrakhand, Rishikesh is a religious place for Hindus. There are many different temples in Rishikesh which are famous for the evening artis. Two famous bridges, Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula in Rishikesh, connect the main road to the temples over the holy river Ganges. Other things to do in Rishikesh include adventure activities like river rafting, trekking, and boating, and many ashrams and cafes attract pilgrims and tourists to Rishikesh.
7. Kedarnath
Located 3584 mts above sea level, Kedarnath is among one of the Char Dhams of Hindus. It is a place of great religious importance among the Hindus in North India. It is also the main religious centre of the Garhwal Himalayas. According to the legends, they visited Uttarakhand while the Pandavas were in exile. To avoid them, Lord Shiva transformed himself into a bull in Kedarnath. Later, when the Pandavas found him, he hid inside the earth. But his hump was on the surface.
Suggestion Tours
8. Manikaran Sahib
Manikaran Sahib is one of the holy destinations in North India. It is a sylvan located in Parvathy Valley with numerous hot springs emerging from it. The springs are said to treat rheumatism and other diseases as it is radioactive. Manikaran Shiva Temple is an example of architectural excellence with excellent woodwork, and the picturesque view the temple offers with the Himalayas in the background is just mind-blowing! The temple celebrates festivals and hosts events. The timings for darshan will be extended during these days. It is one of the most celebrated places for Sikh pilgrims. There is a Gurudwara in Manikaran Sahib. So, it is equally visited by Hindus and Sikhs. There are some small temple complexes near the Gurudwara, and there are hot water springs in Manikaran Sahib where people come to take a holy dip.
9. Sarnath
Located in Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is a religious place for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. There are stupas, museums, temples, and relics of pre-historic buildings here and pilgrims from all over the world come to soak themselves in the serenity and peace of this place. Sarnath is an archaeological site where Budha started teaching his disciples. Emperor Asoka had a pillar with four lions at the top of the memorial pillar, which later became the emblem of our country.
10. Uttarkashi
The literal meaning of the Uttrakashi is ‘Kashi of the North’. It is a small town with many religious sites, and people visit here to soak in the divine heritage. You will feel blessed and relaxed if you spend some time here in this holy town of North India.
Conclusion
In short, these are the top 10 holy destinations of North India, even though there are many other places of religious importance. It is always advisable to know the weather conditions of some destinations before heading on a pilgrimage. Do complete research on the place or log onto our website: www.japjitravel.com for more information. We will offer the best pilgrimage package, including a perfect tour plan.
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