The Holy Places to Travel in India

India: land of mystery

India, one of the world's oldest civilizations, is a patchwork of many cultural experiences. The nation is one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world, with many attractions and a rich historical legacy. 

In Hinduism, the yatra, or pilgrimage, to the tirthas, or sacred places, holds particular significance for accumulating the punya, or spiritual merit, required to achieve moksha or salvation.

This is achieved through various practices such as darūana, or viewing of the deity, parikrama, or circumambulation, yajna, or sacrificial fire offering, Dhyana, or spiritual contemplation, puja, or worship, prarthana, or alms and donation for a worthy cause, seva, or selfless service to the community, devotees, or temple, Bhandara, or volunteer community kitchen for pilgrims, etc. These hallowed locations are typically found alongside holy rivers or their tributaries.

1. Jagannath Temple, Puri

The god Jagannath, a Hindu equivalent of Vishnu, is the subject of the Jagannath Temple. It is found in Puri, in the state of Odisha, which is on India's eastern coast. According to temple records, the main Jagannath temple at Puri was constructed by King Indradyumna of Avanti. Anantavarman Chodaganga, the first ruler of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, started work on the current temple's reconstruction in the tenth century, replacing earlier structures inside the courtyard but excluding the main Jagannath shrine.

 Many of the temple rites are derived from the Shabari Tantras, which originated from tribal beliefs and Tantric Buddhism, respectively, and the Oddiyana Tantras, refined forms of the Mahayana Tantras. 

History

The temple chronicles tell a tale about Anangabhimadeva II's founding. The year of building is mentioned in several chronicles as 1196, 1197, 1205, 1216, or 1226.] This implies that the temple was either finished building or refurbished during Anantavarman's son Anangabhima's rule. During the reigns of the succeeding monarchs, notably the Gajapati and Ganga dynasties, the temple complex was expanded.

2. Kedarnath

Kedarnath village, one of India's most popular temple attractions, lies in the majestic Garhwal Himalayas. Constructed around the hallowed Kedarnath temple, the hamlet is close to the Mandakini River's source, the Chorabari glacier, at an elevation of 3,580 meters. Built of huge but uniformly shaped grey stone slabs, the ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and boasts excellent design. 

The "Sadashiva" form of Lord Shiva is revered as a conical rock formation within the temple.  One of Lord Shiva's twelve Jyotirlingas in India, the temple of Kedarnath is devoted to the god and is a component of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. Behind the Kedarnath temple are the Himalayan peaks of Kedar Dome, Kedarnath Peak, and others.

History

This area is known historically as "Kedar Khand," and legend has it that the Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata felt bad about killing so many people after defeating the Kauravas and sought Lord Shiva's forgiveness to atone for their sins. The Lord constantly evaded them and sought safety in the shape of a bull at Kedarnath.

 At Kedarnath, the Lord dove into the earth, leaving his hump visible above the surface. Lord Shiva's remaining parts made appearances in four different locations, where they are revered as his incarnations. At Tungnath, the Lord manifested as arms, at Rudranath, as a face, at Madmaheshwar, as a belly, and at Kalpeshwar, as locks. Kedarnath and the four other shrines mentioned above comprise the renowned Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit.

3. Devbhoomi Dwarka

The primary attraction for visitors to Dwarka is the Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir. It is thought that Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Lord Krishna, founded the temple around 2500 years ago. Many renovations have been made to the old temple, most notably those that date back to the 16th and 19th centuries.

 The temple is perched on a tiny hill and is reachable via more than fifty stairs. Its walls are richly carved and enclose the shrine, which houses the major idol of Krishna. Smaller shrines can be found all around the compound. Legends and mythological figures are masterfully carved on the walls. A flag composed of 52 yards of fabric, which flutters in the gentle breeze from the Arabian Sea behind the temple, tops the majestic 43-meter-tall spire. 

History

Alongside the most sacred places in India, Dwarka, located on the western tip of the Kathiawar Peninsula, is part of the Char Dhams, which also include Rameshwaram, Puri, and Badrinath. It's said that Lord Krishna came here to construct the city of Braj in Uttar Pradesh. His grandson was the one who founded the temple. The spiritual place has a picturesque backdrop because it is situated at the confluence of the Gomti River and the Arabian Sea. Dwarka supposedly underwent six submersions beneath the ocean, and this is its seventh avatar that we currently witness. An intriguing tale surrounds the temple itself.

4. Rameswaram Island

Situated on Rameswaram island in Tamil Nadu, India, the Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rāmanātasvāmi Kōyil) is a Hindu temple devoted to the Hindu god Shiva. This one is among the twelve Jyotirlinga temples. 

This location is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, which are hallowed places extolled via the lyrics of the Shaivite poet-saints, Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar. The Ramanathaswamy Temple's lingam, an iconic form of Shiva, is said to have been erected and 

worshipped by Rama before he crossed the Rama Setu bridge and entered the island kingdom of Lanka, now known as Sri Lanka. It is a pilgrimage place associated with Char Dham.

History

While Fergusson believes the little vimana in the west corridor dates to the 11th or 12th century, the temple as it is today is thought to have been erected during the 17th century. The construction of the temple is purportedly authorized by King Kizhavan Sethupathi, also known as Raghunatha Kilavan. The Pandya Dynasty's Jaffna kings made a significant contribution to the temple. To rebuild the temple's sanctuary sanctorum, King Jeyaveera Cinkaiariyan (1380–1410 CE) transported stone blocks from Koneswaram temple in Trincomalee. 

Conclusion

India has a great deal of potential to rank among the world's leading tourist destinations. Travelers from all over the world are drawn to the nation by its well-known historical sites, varied terrain, and rich cultural history. India is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, unique wildlife, and chances for adventure travel.