What does it mean to be ‘spiritual ’? We don’t need to always have an idol to worship, but the feeling that ‘there is something beyond us’ can lead us to enlightenment. For some, though it might seem something of higher thought, the feeling of the Supreme power, whatever we may call it, the universe or any faith, can destroy all the negative energy from within us. Spirituality or pilgrimage, whatever we may call it, is not usually sensed anywhere and everywhere. Some of us need special places to awaken that sense of divinity within us. So, in this article, let’s have a look at the top 10 best spiritual visits of India, which might be fascinating to spiritual people.
Though opinions might vary, I, personally, have visited the places mentioned below and felt the divinity of each. Some places combine grandeur with devotion, while others showcase their beauty in simplicity.
1) Mathura & Vrindavan: This is the most appropriate place to visit if one wants to discover inner peace. Located in Uttar Pradesh, the Hindu God of love and devotion was raised here at Mathura. He left to rule the kingdom of Dwarka after he became the king of the same place.
2) Varanasi: The second most popular place to visit, the ‘Varanasi Nath’ resides here. Some of the Hindus visit this place to spend the last few days before their death. It is usually believed that if one spends their last few days on this earth at Varanasi, he or she is sure to be free from the cycle of birth and death.
3) Haridwar: Situated in Uttarakhand, it is one of the ancient cities in India. It is known that Uttarakhand itself is known as the ‘land of Gods’ or ‘Devbhoomi.’ Besides temples such as Vaishno Devi, the ‘Pawaan Dham’ or the ‘Glass Temple’ is a major attraction. Moreover, the worship of the Ganges River in the evening time, adds to the divinity and uniqueness of the place.
4) Puri: Situated in the state of Odisha, Puri is a must-visit for spiritual people. Besides the Jagannath temple and the famous ‘Rath Yatra’, spending time at the serene sea beach is sufficient to heal a wounded soul. The place has a huge collection of Odisha ‘Tant’ and handlooms.
5) Kamakhya temple, Guwahati: This is the place where millions of devotees as well as pilgrims come to seek the blessings of Goddess Kamakhya. Famous for the Goddess of power, this is the place where one can find divinity, along with thousands of earthen lamps lit in the temple premises, offered to the Goddess.
6) Nabadwip Dhaam: The birthplace of the social reformer, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Nabadwip Dhaam is a must-visit if you want the calmness of the mind and have a desire to delve into the joy of group devotional singing with ecstatic dancing. The place is situated in West Bengal’s Mayapur town, and still bears a serene atmosphere.
7) Se Cathedral: This is one of the famous cathedrals located in Old Goa. The mesmerising interiors of the cathedral, as well as its magnificence, add to the grandeur. It bears its name proudly in the world heritage site and is a part of the Latin Church.
8) Basilica of Bom Jesus: This cathedral contains examples of the baroque architecture, which fascinates most visitors. The mass prayer taking place at specific intervals helps relieve the soul and helps us realise our consciousness and existence on a different level.
9) Ayodhya: Famous for the Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya is the place where we get to witness the cultural evidence of ancient India. Moreover, the place is also exemplary for varying architecture, besides adding a feeling of calmness and devotion to the mind.
10) Jhaku temple, Shimla: Amidst the high mountains of Shimla, this happens to be the resting place of the ‘monkey’ God or Lord Hanuman, while he was on his way to the mountain to recover Lakshman’s illness. The Jhaku temple is a perfect visit if you want to experience the calmness of the mountains along with a pious feeling. This place is said to be very powerful in fulfilling one’s wishes, and thousands of people tie red knots in the temple’s various parts, offering their wishes to the Lord.
‘Spirituality, ’ or the feeling that our existence is meant for something beyond ourselves, is very much necessary for flourishing in life. There is much more beyond this materialistic world, and each one of us has his or her own duty to be performed on this earth.
