India is a land of many faiths, and Hinduism is one of the oldest. There are so many holy places in the country that attract devotees from all around the world. Whether you are thinking of a pilgrimage tour to Kedarnath, Vaishno Devi, Kashi Vishwanath, Somnath, Kanyakumari, Rameshwaram, or Madurai—there is no dearth of pilgrimage destinations in the country. Going to these places is a special journey that offers devotees the opportunity to pray, seek blessings, and feel closer to God.
Although almost all regions of India are dotted with some of the most revered holy places, some are grouped together and often termed as pilgrimage circuits. Each pilgrimage circuit has a few important temples and sites. This means if you embark on a tour of a circuit, you will have the opportunity to travel and explore many places in a single journey. You can consider it like a spiritual tour. These pilgrimage circuits in India are extremely important for Hindus. Devotees believe that embarking on pilgrimage tours in India cleanses their soul and brings good karma (punya).
Let’s explore some of the most important Hindu pilgrimage circuits in India.
Char Dham Yatra is one of the very special Hindu pilgrimage circuits in India. “Char” means four. "Dham" means abode. So, it is the abode of the Gods. This is the most famous pilgrimage and holds tremendous significance among Hindus. This is why many Hindus dream of the Char Dham Yatra.
The four Dhams are:
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Badrinath is located in the Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand. This is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in the country and attracts devotees from all around the world. The temple is very old and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. You will see the nearby fast-flowing Alaknanda River that enhances the charm of the place. There is the Tap Kund in Badrinath, which is also popular among devotees. It is a hot spring, and it is believed that it washes away the sins of people who take a dip in this hot water Kund.
Rameshwaram is situated at the southern tip of India. It is famous for its Ramanathaswamy Temple. Traditionally, it is believed that the temple is situated at the place where Lord Rama established the Shivalinga and worshiped Lord Shiva before building the bridge (Ram Setu) to Lanka (Sri Lanka) to rescue Devi Sita. The temple has many holy water bodies, which are called tirthams. Taking a bath in them is important and considered auspicious.
Puri is one of the four pilgrimages of the Char Dham Yatra and is located on the eastern coast in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. The holy city is famous for the Jagannath Temple. Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna), an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is worshiped here along with siblings Lord Balabhadra (Balram) and Goddess Subhadra. The architecture of the temple is grand and will never fail to mesmerize you. Puri is also known for its annual Rath Yatra, a huge chariot festival. Lakhs of people come to pull the chariots during the festival, which is a very colorful and lively event. Another feature of the temple is the temple kitchen, which is said to be the biggest in the world.
Situated on the western coast in the state of Gujarat, Dwarka is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India. It is also one of the four destinations of the iconic Char Dham Yatra. It is believed to be the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna. The prime attraction here is the Dwarkadhish Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple is old and has a very tall spire. Here you will find a peaceful ambiance and feel divine experience. Dwarka is also famous for the Gomati River, which meets the Arabian Sea. Devotees bathe in the holy water of the Gomati River.
Doing the Char Dham Yatra (one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage circuits in India) is a big achievement. It can take many days or even weeks. It is a journey of faith and devotion. Since these four destinations are located on four different sides of India, this pilgrimage circuit can take your time. It can also be challenging. However, you do not need to worry much as there is another similar circuit called “Chota Char Dham Yatra” or “Himalayan Char Dham Yatra”. This circuit also covers four popular pilgrimage destinations, but in the same state, Uttarakhand. The destinations of Chota Char Dham Yatra are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Having the Chota Char Dham Yatra is believed to yield the same benefits as the main Char Dham Yatra.
Sometimes, people cannot complete the full Char Dham, be it the larger circuit or the smaller circuit. Many people also want to focus on the Himalayas. In this case, the Do Dham Yatra can be a great option. Nowadays, the Do Dham Yatra has also been one of the popular pilgrimage circuits in India. This popular holy circuit covers two important and sacred places in Uttarakhand.
The destinations of the Do Dham Yatra are:
We have already talked about this one. It is the abode of Lord Vishnu and one of the destinations of the Char Dham Yatra, Chota Char Dham Yatra, and Do Dham Yatra.
Located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is also known for its tranquility and scenic mountains. The ancient temple of Baba Kedarnath is made of huge stone slabs and attracts devotees from different parts of the country. The journey to this holy shrine is tough as devotees need to trek on mountainous paths. However, a helicopter facility is also available to reach Kedarnath. This means you can take a helicopter ride to have the Darshan of Baba Kedarnath. Kedarnath is also one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is a very powerful God similar to Lord Vishnu. Apart from Lord Shiva in his original form, he is also worshiped as Shivalinga and Jyotirlinga. There are 12 Jyotirlingas in India situated in very special Shiva Temples in different parts (states) of India. “Jyoti” means light, and “Linga” is a symbol of Shiva. So, these are places where Lord Shiva appeared as a pillar of light. Visiting all 12 Jyotirlingas is a huge pilgrimage. Many people try to visit as many as they can.
Visiting these Jyotirlingas is a powerful spiritual journey. Each one has its own story and importance.
Hinduism also worships the divine feminine. Although many goddesses, like Durga, Lakshmi, Kali, and Saraswati, are worshiped, there are more temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti or Parvati and her incarnations. There are 51 or 108 Shakti Peeths in India where Goddess Shakti is worshiped. These are places where parts of Goddess Sati’s body fell. According to the legend, when Goddess Sati sacrificed and offered herself to the fire (Agni), Lord Shiva became angry and sad. He carried her body around in sadness and grief. Lord Vishnu could not see the unbearable pain of Shiva and left his Sudarshan Chakra to the body of the Goddess Sati. Then, part of Sati’s body fell in different places. Each place, then, became a Shakti Peeth.
The Shakti Peeths represent the power of the divine mother. Visiting them gives strength and blessings.
Though the Maha Kumbha Mela circuit is not a fixed set of temples, it is a very special event and very popular among Hindu pilgrims. It is a huge Hindu pilgrimage that happens every 12 years, rotating between four holy cities.
Millions of people gather for the Kumbh Mela and take a holy dip in the river. They believe that taking a holy dip in the river during the Kumbha Mela cleanses all sins—it is all about Astha (belief). Also, the mela is the largest peaceful gathering in the world, and its sight is simply mesmerizing and a unique experience.
"Prayag" means confluence. It is where two or more rivers meet. These are considered very holy places in Hinduism. The Panch Prayag are five important confluences in Uttarakhand. They are all along the Alaknanda River.
Visiting these five confluences is a sacred journey. It is mostly done by people visiting Char Dham in the Himalayas.
This famous pilgrimage circuit is all about Lord Krishna. "Braj Bhoomi" means the land of Braj. It is the region around Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh. This is the region where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, where he did many miracles and played with the gopis. And another important incident is that Bal Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain on his finger. In short, the Brajbhoomi pilgrimage circuit is full of stories and miracles about Kanha and truly offers a divine experience to devotees. You can hear bhajans (devotional songs) everywhere.
"Sapta" means seven. "Puri" means city. The Sapta Puri circuit is also considered one of the popular pilgrimage circuits in India. Visiting these seven cities is a journey through history and faith. Each city has its own unique charm and spiritual significance. People believe that visiting these seven cities grants moksha - liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
These pilgrimage circuits are not just about visiting temples. They are about a deeper experience.
If you ever plan to go on one of these pilgrimages or pilgrimage circuits in India, it is good to prepare.
Hindu pilgrimage circuits are a wonderful way to explore India's spiritual heart. They offer a unique blend of faith, history, culture, and natural beauty. Each circuit is a journey of self-discovery and devotion. It is an experience that stays with you forever. It is a way to connect with something much bigger than ourselves. So, next time you think of a trip, maybe consider a spiritual one!