Hindu pilgrimage sites in India

In India there are 7 Sapta Puri holy cities, 4 Dhams (Char Dham) and 12 Jyotirlings devoted to the Lord Shiva, 51 Shakta pithas devoted to the feminine manifestation of the god, the eight swayambhu Vishnu temples (Badrinath, Naimisharanya, Saligram Muktinath, Srimushnam, Tiruchirappalli, Tirupati, Nanguneri, Pushkar) and the important Lord Rama circuit (Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Hampi and Rameswaram) and Lord Krishna circuit (Braj, Kurukshetra and Dwarka).

Holy Places: Himalayan Chota Char Dham – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Haridwar – Rishikesh, Mathura – Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Dwarka, Rameswaram, Shirdi, Tirupati, Nashik, Pancharama Kshetras.
Holy Fairs: The Kumbh Mela (the "pitcher festival") is one of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimages that is held four times every twelve years; the location is rotated among the four cities of Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. The Mahamaham in temple town of Kumbakonam is also celebrated once in 12 years. Annual Gita Mahotsav at Kurukshetra, Shravani Mela at Deoghar, and Pitrapaksha Mela at Gaya are also notable holy fairs.
Holy Temples: the Char Dham, Pancharama Kshetras, Rameswaram, Dwarka, Puri and Badrinath; the Pancha Bhoota Stalam; the eight Ashta Veeratta Sthalams; the Six Abodes of Murugan; the five Pancha Sabhai; the 108 Divya Desams; Katra, home to the Vaishno Devi temple; Puri home to Vaishnava Jagannath temple and Rath Yatra celebration; Tirumala – Tirupati, home to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple; Shirdi, home to Sai Baba of Shirdi; Sabarimala home to Swami Ayyappan; the Shakta pithas; the twelve Jyotirlingas; the seven Sapta Puri.
Cities Celebrated in Literature: 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams, 108 Shiva Temples established by Paraśurāma.
Holy Deity : Kuladaivat Hindu families have their own family patron deity. This deity is common to a lineage, a clan or a locality.
Samadhis (shrines) of Saints: Alandi, Samadhi of Dnyaneshwar:Mantralayam, Shri Sai baba temple, Shirdi – Shri Samadhi Mandir of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi at Shirdi, samadhi of Raghavendra Tirtha, Belur Math which enshrine that Holy remains of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda Puri, and other direct Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, Tulsi Ghat, Varanasi where Saint Tulsidas left his mortal coil, Samadhi Mandir of Meher Baba in Meherabad, Samadhi Mandir of Saint Kabir at Gorakhpur, near Varanasi, Panchaganga Ghat, Varanasi where Trailanga Swami lived and left his mortal body, Karar Ashram, Puri where Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, attained the Mahasamadhi.
All the tirth places which are important in Hinduism is mentioned below. Madhva saint Vadiraja Tirtha of sixteenth century has written Tirtha Prabandha a document on travelogue of pilgrimage centres throughout India.

Most visited pilgrimage sites

Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi

Ayodhya is an ancient holy city in Uttar Pradesh, which is one of the seven holy Hindu Saptapuri cites, and considered the home to Ram Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Rama, in Hindu tradition. The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, India is a Hindu temple, that was inaugurated on 22 January 2024 after a prana pratishtha (consecration) ceremony. Ayodhya's Ram temple is estimated to have 50 million visitors per year, making it possibly the top pilgrimage site in the world.

Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi)

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the ancient holy city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines. The presiding deity is known by the names Vishwanath and Vishweshwara (IAST: Viśvanātha and Viśveśvara), literally meaning "Lord of the Universe". The temple has been managed by a board of trustees set up by the government of Uttar Pradesh since 1983. On 1 January 2023, a record 3.35 lakh pilgrims visited the temple. In the month of January 2023, the temple received approximately 45,000 visitors per day.

Jagannath Dham (Puri)

Jagannath Temple, Puri is one of the most sacred sites in Hinduism, located in the township of Puri in Odisha.The Hindu temple is dedicated to the god Jagannath, a form of Vishnu and two of his siblings, Balaram and Subhadra, alongside Sudarshan (the deified form of Vishnu's primary weapon).

Tirupati Balaji (Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala)

Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala, also known as Tirupati Balaji Temple, is a Hindu temple situated in the hills of Tirumala at Tirupati in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared on the earth to save mankind from the trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. Venkateswara is known by many other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa. The temple is run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), under the Andhra Pradesh Government. The head of TTD is appointed by the Andhra Pradesh Government. The temple is one of the Pancha Kshethram where Maha Lakshmi was born as Bhargavi - the daughter of Maharishi Bhrigu. The other four temples of the Pancha Kshethram are Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam, Oppiliappan temple, Nachiyar Koil and Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem. Tirumala hills are part of Seshachalam Hills range. The hills are 853 metres (2,799 ft) above sea level and comprise seven peaks, representing the seven heads of Adisesha. The temple lies on the seventh peak—Venkatadri, on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank. Hence the temple is also referred to as "Temple of Seven Hills". The temple is visited by 50,000 to 100,000 devotees per day and reaching 30 to 40 million visitors annually who come to pray to Lord Venkateshwara.

Sri Sai Baba Temple (Shirdi)

Shri Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi, also known as Sri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir and Sai Baba of Shirdi temple, is a temple which is located in holy city town of Shirdi, Maharashtra is among the top pilgrimage sites of the world.Sai Baba of Shirdi,also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian spiritual master and fakir, considered to be a saint, revered by devotees during and after his lifetime.Hindu devotees believed to be an incarnation of the Hindu deity Dattatreya.The temple is a shrine which was constructed in 1922. Shirdi Sai Baba temple is approximately 200 kilometers from Mumbai City. Also, this temple is known to be the second richest temple in India where millions of pilgrims visit daily. Shirdi is frequented by devotees and tourists. The temple is managed by the Sri Saibaba Sansthan Trust. The temple is visited by more than 60,000 per day and the number can increase by up by 2 to 3 lakh on special occasions.

Vaishno Devi Temple (Jammu)

Vaishno Devi Temple, also known as the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and Vaishno Devi Bhavan, is a Hindu temple located in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, dedicated to Vaishno Devi, a manifestation of Durga. It is located on the Trikuta Mountain at 5,000 feet. The Shakti tradition considers it to be a Shakta pitha. The temple is governed by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and has been chaired by the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir since August 1986. Millions of devotees visit the temple annually. In 2018, the Vaishno Devi shrine reported that it had received 8.5 million pilgrims that year.

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List of Important Pilgrimage Places

Haridwar-Rishikesh (Maya Puri) region

The importance of Maya Puri (Haridwar)-Rishikesh) tirth region is clearly mentioned in puranas. This tirth is located in Uttarakhand, India. Haridwar tirth region is mainly dedicated to shiva and Parvati, whereas Vishnu is primarily worshipped in Rishikesh tirth region.

Temples in Haridwar Tirth region:-

1.Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple

2.Shitla mata Temple (Sati mata janmsthan)

3.Narayani shila Temple

4.Mansa Devi Temple

5.Maya Devi Temple

6.Chandi Devi Temple

7.Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple

8.Paradeshwar Mahadev Temple

9.Nileshwar Mahadev Temple

10.Har ki Paudi Ganga Ghat(Ganesh ji Temple)

11.Dakshin Kali Temple

12.Aanand Bhairav Temple

Temples in Rishikesh Tirth Region:-

1.Trayambakeshwar Temple

2.Shri Hrishikesh Narayan Temple (Bharat Mandir)

3.Veerabhadra Temple

4.Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

5.Laxman temple

6.Shatrughna Temple

7.Chandreshwar Mahadev temple

Naimisharanya

Naimisa-Forest or Naimisharanya(Misrikh-Neemasar) is a Vaishnav tirth region located in Uttar Pradesh, India. Vishnu is mainly worshipped in this tirth.

Temples in Misrikh tirth region:-

1.Rishi Dhadichi Temple

2.Dhadichi Kund

Temples in Neemsar(Naimisharanya) tirth region:-

1.Naimishnath Vishnu Temple

2.Chakra Tirth Temple

3.Bhooteshwar Mahadev Temple

4.Vyas Gaddi

5.Sut Gaddi

6.Chakranarayan Temple

7.Hanuman Garhi Temple

8.Lalita Devi Temple

9.Devdeveshwar Mahadev Temple

10.Gomti river (Dashasumedh ghat)

11.Hatya-Haran Tirth (Hatya-Haraneshwar Mahadev Temple)

Tirths of Uttarakhand

kedar Tirth Region:-

In kedar Tirth mainly Shiva and Parvati is worshipped.

1.Kedarnath Temple

2.Gaurikund Temple

3.Triyuginarayan Temple

4.Guptkashi Temple

5.Ukhimath Omkareshwar Temple

6.Kalimath Temple

7.Tungnath Temple

8.Rudranath Temple

9.Madhyamaheshwar Temple

10.Bhairav Temple, kedarnath

11.Gopinath Temple, Gopeshwar

12.Munkatia Ganesh Temple

13.Anasuya Devi Temple, Gopeshwar

Badri tirth Region:-

In Badri Tirth mainly Vishnu and Lakshmi is worshipped.

1.Badrinath Temple

2.Kalpeshwar Temple

3.Bhavishya Badri Temple

4.Vishnuprayag Temple

5.Kuber Temple, Pandukeshwar

6.Yog dhyan Badri Temple, Pandukeshwar

7.Dhyan Badri Temple

8.Vyas Gufa, Mana

9.Vriddha Badri Temple

10.Joshimath Narsingh Mandir

Panch Prayag Tirth Region:-

1.Uma devi Temple, Karnaprayag

2.Umra Narayan Temple

3.Rudranath Temple, Rudraprayag

4.Nandprayag Temple

5.Adi Badri Temple, Karnaprayag

6.Augustmuni Temple

7.Neelmegha Vishnu Temple, Devaprayag

8.Dhari Devi Temple

9.Koteshwar Mahadev Temple

10.Chamunda devi Temple, Rudraprayag

11.Tungeshwar Mahadev Temple

12.Kartik Swami Temple

13.Indrasani Devi Temple, Kandali, Rudraprayag

14.Karmajeet Temple, Pillu, Rudraprayag

kumaon tirth Region:-

1.Bagnath Temple, Bageshwar

2.Baijnath Temple, Garur

3.Jageshwar Dham

4.Kot Bhramari Temple, Kajyuli

5.Devidhura Varahi Temple

6.Poornagiri Temple

7.Danda Nagraja Temple

Garhwal tirth Region:-

1.Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple

2.Daat Kali Temple, Dehradun

3.Santala Devi Temple, Dehradun

4.Sem Mukhem Nag Temple

5.Budha Kedar Temple

6.Surkanda Devi Temple

7.Uttarkashi Shiva-Shakti Temple

8.Lakhamandal Temple

9.Yamunotri Temple

10.Gangotri Temple

11.Gaumukh

12.Shani Dev Temple, Kharsoli

13.Kyunkaleshwar Temple

14.Mahasu Devta Temple, Hanol

15.Prachin Bhairav Temple, Gangotri

Shookar kshetra

In Narsingh Puran, It is mentioned that Shookar kshetra in one of the abodes of Vishnu which is Located in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Varah form of Vishnu. Today shookar kshetra consist of parts of Kasganj and Bulandsahar District. Whole Shookar kshetra is located on the banks of the river Ganga.

Temples in Shookar Kshetra(Soron) tirth:-

1.Shookar Temple(Varah Temple), Soron[Kasganj district]

2.Har ki paudi Teerth (Holy Tank), Soron[kasganj district]

3.Belon Devi Temple, Belon [Bulandsahar district]

4.kalyani Devi Temple, Karanwas [Bulandsahar District]

5.Ram ghat (ganga ghat) near Narora[Bulandsahar District]

6.Raj ghat(ganga ghat) near Narora[Bulandsahar District]

7.Suryakund, Soron [Kasganj District]

8.Navdurga Temple, Soron [Kasganj District]

9.Batuk Bhairav Nath ji Temple, Soron [Kasganj District]

10.Sheetla Mata Temple, Soron [Kasganj District]

11.Laddu Waale Balaji Mandir, Soron [Kasganj District]

Kanyakubj

Kanyakubj or Kannauj is a very ancient tirth present in Uttar Pradesh, India.It is also has a great importance in Indian history. It was the capital of the Harshvardhan dynasty. Its importance is given in Devi Bhagwat puran and Brahma puran. Brahmins from Kanyakubj are worldwide famous and are regularly appointed as the head priest of many Hindu temples located in Kannauj and north India.

Major Temples located in Kannauj Tirth are:-

1.Gauri shankar temple

2.Phoolmati Devi temple

3.Annapoorna Temple, Tirwaganj

4.Dauleshwar Mahadev Temple, tirwaganj

5.Govardhani Devi Temple

6.Gangeshwarnath Temple, chhibramau

7.Mansheshwarnath Temple, chhibramau

8.Kalika Devi Mandir, chhibramau

9.Bagiya Waale Hanumanji Temple, Chhibramau

10.Maa Aanandi Devi Temple, Prempur

Braj

Braj, also known as Mathura Puri, is an 84-kos tirth kshetra in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Vishnu in his incarnation as Krishna. Today, the Braj region comprises Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh, along with parts of the states of Haryana and Rajasthan. The temples in the region are traditionally believed to have been established by Vajranabha, the grandson of Krishna. For this reason, the tirth is also associated with Vajranabha and is known as Braj. The tirth is mentioned in the Skanda Purana, the Bhagavata Purana, the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, and other Hindu scriptures.

Braj Region is divided into many villages, these villages and their respective temples are mentioned below:-

Mathura tirth region:-

1. Shri Keshav Deo Temple

2. Shri Bhooteshwar Mahadev Temple

3. Shri Rangeshwar Mahadev temple

4. Shri Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple

5. Shri Galteshwar Mahadev Temple

6. Shri Pipleshwar Mahadev Temple

7. Vishram ghat(Yamuna mandir)

8. Chamunda Mata Temple

9. Shri mathura Devi Temple

10. Kankali devi Temple

11. Mahavidya devi Temple

12. Shantanu Bihari Temple

13. Dirgh vishnu Temple

Gokul-Mahavan-Baldeo Tirth Region

1. Gokulnathji Temple(Nand Bhavan 84 Khamba )

2. Nand Bhavan, Gokul

3. Chandravali Mata Temple

4. Chintaharan Mahadev Temple

5. Brahmaand ghat

6. Raman Reti Temple

7. Baldeo Temple

8. Bandi Anandi Manomanccha maa Temple

9. Rawal Radha Rani Temple

Vrindavan tirth Region:-

1. Bankey Bihari Temple

2. Radha Raman Temple

3. Radha Damodar Temple

4. Radha Govind dev ji temple

5. Radha Shyam sundar Temple

6. Radha Madan Mohan Temple

7. Radha Gokulnand Temple

8. Radha Gopinath Temple

9. Radha Vallabh Temple

10. Shri Garud Govind ji Temple

11. Nidhivan

12. Mota ganesh ji Temple

13. Sewa kunj

14. Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple

15. Chamunda Mata Temple

16. Katayani Mata Temple

Govardhan Tirth kshetra:-

1. Giriraj ji Temple, Daanghati

2. Giriraj ji Temple, Jatipura

3. Giriraj ji Temple, Mansi Ganga

4. Luk luk Dauji Temple

5. Chandra Sarovar

6. Kusum sarovar

7. Radha Kund

8. Haridev ji Temple

9. Punchhari ka Lauthra Temple

10. Chakleshwar Mahadev Temple

11. Indra Maan Daman Temple

12. Mansa Devi Temple

13. Vankhandi Mahadev Temple

14. Kundeshwar Mahadev Temple

15. Radha Kund Mukharvind temple

16. Narayan Sarovar

17. Lalit Kund