India has a long and glorious history of spiritual leaders, thinkers, and yogis due to which it is known as “the land of sages”. Numerous pilgrimage places in India attract people from all over the world. Not only the Indians but also the foreigners yearn to unravel the mystery and legends attached to these places. While most of the pilgrimage sites in India are well-known among spiritual travellers, some of them are not quite popular. These lesser-known pilgrimage destinations are equally powerful and offer a transformative experience to the pilgrims. These places allow the visitors to experience the spiritual essence of India much akin to the popular pilgrim sites of the country.
The following blog will let you delve into the lesser-known yet powerful spiritual destinations of the country. Some of these places are as follows:
Located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand State, Tungnath Temple is one of the lesser-known pilgrim destinations in India that is not quite popular among the pilgrims. Located at a height of approx. 3,680 feet, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple’s history dates back to the ancient era. There is also a legend attached to Tungnath Temple. According to it, the temple was constructed by the Pandavas who repented for their sins before Lord Shiva once the Kurukshetra war was over.
The temple is quite popular for its stunning location surrounded by lush meadows and high peaks. You can enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayas when you are here. You can reach the temple after covering a difficult path of approx 3.5 kilometres from Chopta. However, you will consider yourself lucky as you will get to see the natural scenes and serene landscape on the way. The temple is also an important historical landmark that not only attracts pilgrims but also trekkers from around the world.
Activities to Do in Tungnath Temple
Situated in the Jaintia Hills, Nartiang holds an important place among the Hindu devotees. It is another lesser-known pilgrimage destination in India. The place lets the visitors experience the rich cultural heritage here and not only attracts tourists but also pilgrims. An important spiritual site in Nartiang is Nartiang Durga Temple which holds great spiritual significance for the local people. Constructed with the help of wooden structures, the unique architecture of the temple attracts visitors from all over the world. A large number of pilgrims visit the temple during Durga Puja to seek peace, health, and prosperity for them.
Nartiang is also famous for Nartiang Monoliths which are a group of megalithic stones that have a great spiritual value. The monoliths were used by the ancestors of the Khasi people to pay respect to the deceased. These stones create a mystical atmosphere in this place.
Activities to Do in Nartiang
Situated on the banks of Vegavathi River, Kanchi or Kanchipuram is one of the lesser-known pilgrimage destinations in India. Also called “the City of Thousand Temples”, Kanchi is home to many spiritual destinations that attract tourists from all over the world. Some of the famous temples that you may explore here include Ekambareshwarar Temple, Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, etc. Let’s learn about these temples one by one: -
Kailasanathar Temple: - Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is one of the ancient temples here which is famous for its architectural beauty. This temple has a Dravidian architecture and attracts visitors due to its intricate carvings.
Activities to Do Here
Varadaraja Perumal Temple: - This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is a famous holy site for the Vaishnavites. The temple is quite famous for its stunning architecture and a towering statue of Lord Varadaraja Perumal.
Activities to Do Here
Other temples that are worth visiting in Kanchi are Ekambareswarar Temple, Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Kamakshi Amman Temple, etc.
Situated in Guwahati, Manikarneswar Devalaya is also one of the lesser-known pilgrimage destinations in India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated at Manikarneswar Hill. The temple holds great religious importance among the Hindu devotees. A large number of people visit this temple on Mahashivaratri, which is an auspicious occasion for the Hindus to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva. The visitors perform important rituals after visiting the temple.
According to a legend, Goddess Parvati visited this place and lost her earrings there. The earrings were later found by the Lord Shiva. The place where this event occurred is now known as the Manikarneswar Temple. It has a small sanctum that has a Lord Shiva idol in it. The temple offers a serene atmosphere which makes it the best place for meditation. You will get to see breathtaking views of the Brahmaputra River and Guwahati city when you are here.
The spiritual atmosphere of this temple attracts tourists and pilgrims from different parts of the country. The visitors experience the cultural richness and religious heritage of Assam after visiting the temple. This is no doubt a perfect destination for those who are interested in knowing about the spiritual traditions of Assam.
Activities to Do Here
Situated in the Kumaon region, Golu Devta Temple is a shrine that has great religious importance. Located at a height of approx. 1400 meters, this temple attracts a large number of devotees from Kumaaoni and Garhwali communities. Golu Devta, the deity of the temple was a prominent historical figure and the King of this region. He was quite popular among the people for his justice, kindness, and valour. When he died people respected him as God and sought his blessings by offering prayers to him. People come here in large numbers to seek resolutions for their problems.
People follow a unique tradition here. They leave bells in the temple to get their wishes fulfilled. They write their wishes on the bells and tie them to the walls of the temples. The sight of a thousand bells in the temple is simply fantastic for the visitors. They experience a breathtaking view of the surrounding forests and mountains when they are here. Also, visitors will get to know about the important cultural heritage of this region after visiting this temple.
Activities to Do Here
Located in Thiruipattur in Tamil Nadu, Brahmapureeswarar Temple is an ancient temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple holds an important place among the Hindu devotees. This temple is known for its great historical significance. People believe that this temple was established by Brahma (the creator of the universe). He sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva for a curse by worshipping Lord Shiva at this site. The temple has a Dravidian style architecture which is a feast for the eyes. The intricately carved pillars and sculptures show the craftsmanship of that era. You will also find a shrine dedicated to Goddess Parvati in the temple.
One of the features of the temple is the Brahmapureeswarar Lingam which is considered to be extremely powerful. Devotees have complete faith in the divine energy of the temple. They believe that offering prayers in the temple will bring peace to their lives. You will also find a holy tank named Brahma Theertham here. The pilgrims take a dip in the tank before visiting the main shrine. During Mahashivratri, this temple is visited by a large number of people.
Activities to Do Here
This is also one of the lesser-known but powerful spiritual destinations of India. Kailashnath Temple is a great example of stunning architecture which was created in the eighth century during the Rashtrakuta dynasty. Dedicated to the Lord Shiva, Kailashnath temple is big in size. You will find a main temple, numerous sculpture, shrines, an assembly hall, and courtyards in the temple complex. All these structures have carvings from Hindu mythology. The central courtyard of the temple is a great example of the craftsmanship of that era. The central shrine of the temple is adorned with a variety of mythological creatures, sculptures of the deities, intricate carvings, etc.
Tourists and pilgrims from different parts of the country visit this place due to its breathtaking beauty and spiritual ambience. One of the striking features of this temple is its height which reaches 30 meters. The natural light illuminates the sanctum inside the temple which is visually appealing.
Activities to Do Here
Palitana temples are located in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, and are important pilgrimage sites for the Jain community. Dedicated to many Jain Tirthankars, Palitana temples are a perfect emblem of stunning architecture. These temples are spread on a hill which is 600 meters high. The pilgrims need to climb approximately 3000 steps to visit these temples. The journey that pilgrims undertake to reach the temples is considered pious. People believe that the journey to the peak purifies the souls of the devotees. One of the best temples here is dedicated to the first Tirthankara of Jains i.e. Lord Adinatha.
This temple is a perfect example of Jain architecture and is well-known for its beautiful artwork and sculptures. Other important temples that you will find on the hill are dedicated to Lord Mahavir, Lord Neminatha, Lord Shantinatha, etc. The spiritual essence and the architecture of these temples attract pilgrims from all over the country.
The Palitana Temples have a crucial role in Jainism history. These temples are made of white marble which lends a beautiful look to them. This has been an important site of Jain pilgrimage for many years.
Activities to Do Here
Located on Pamban Island, Dhanushkodi is another lesser-known pilgrimage destination in India. The town is quite popular for its religious and historical significance. It holds a unique spiritual legacy that attracts tourists from all over the world. People believe that Lord Rama built a bridge called “Adam’s Bridge” or “Rama’s Bridge” at this place to reach Lanka. This town was devastated by a cyclone in the year 1964 which led to the devastation of its infrastructure. This place became a ghost town due to the abandoned houses and devastated railway station.
Today, Dhanushkodi is an apt place for the history buffs due to its connection with Hindu mythology. Apart from the history enthusiasts, tourists too visit this place to experience its natural beauty. The pristine blue waters attract people from all over the country and offer them a peaceful retreat.
Activities to Do Here
Situated in Meghalaya, Mawlynnong holds a deep spiritual significance. Known as the cleanest village in Asia, this place is home to the Khasi tribe. The tribal people live here peacefully and follow their spiritual practices. The people of this tribe follow the “living with the land” concept. This is a kind of belief where nature is considered sacred. They respect rivers, trees, and mountains as their deities. This place is also known for its “Sacred Groves”. These are the forested areas that are protected by the Khasi tribe due to their ecological and spiritual importance. The “Sacred Groves” are the places of spirits so the people only need to do permissible actions here such as performing rituals and collecting medicinal plants.
The Khasi tribe shares a strong bond with the forests and holds great respect for them. The traditions and architecture of this village represent the spiritual beliefs related to the family as well as the community. The clean and tranquil environment of the village is perfect for visitors to meditate.
Activities to Do in Mawlynnong
Now, you are well aware of the lesser-known pilgrimage destinations of India which are a unique amalgamation of spiritual essence and unexplored beauty. Unlike the famous yet overcrowded spiritual destinations, these hidden gems offer the visitors a peaceful retreat they are yearning for. Those looking for a spiritual journey seek mental peace after visiting these places. If you want to visit the lesser-known yet powerful spiritual destinations of the country, explore these pilgrimage sites to get the experience of a lifetime.