In various cultures pilgrimage tours are considered the best way to pay tribute to almighty. This practice of setting on long and challenging odysseys is considered to be capable of purifying soul off all the malice and ultimately providing Nirvana. These pilgrimage tour in India are given highest significance and is believed to be the pathway to Salvation and thus Hindus wish to plan a pilgrimage tour at least once in a lifetime.
Three of the most famous destinations for pilgrimage tours in India are:
Vaishno Devi Yatra: One of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Goddess Vaishnavi, Vaishno Devi temple is located in the hills of Jammu and Kashmir. Goddess Vaishnavi represents Shakti form of spiritual strength of Goddesss Maha Laxmi, Goddess Maha Kali and Goddess Maha Saraswati. It is thus one of the ‘Shakti Peeths’ and is believed to be having divine qualities. Situated high in the Tirkuta Hills, the Vaishno Devi Yatra (tour) is a 13 kilometer long trek in the hills. Yet, to have one glimpse of their deity and to rinse their souls of all impurities, pilgrims from world over undertake the journey chanting names of Goddess and praising her for her benevolent and kind nature throughout.
Char Dham Yatra: This is the prime pilgrimage tour in India for it covers tour to four seats of almighty in different parts of India. Tour to holy shrines at Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameshwaram is known as Char Dham Yatra. This journey is believed to be very pious and thousands of devotees undertake the journey every year. Badrianth in Uttarakhand is mentioned in Hindu scriptures as a sacred pilgrimage site for followers of Lord Vishnu. Dwarka in Gujarat is set close to the dwelling place of Lord Krishna and the Dwarkadheesh Temple is the main holy shrine here. Jaganath Puri is the third destination which is located in Orissa at a quaint coastal region where the main Jagnnath Temple is a fascinating ancient temple believed to be over 900 years old. The legend has it that Lord Shiva was worshipped at the spot by God Rama where Temple of Sri Ramanatha Swamy is located in the current times.
Mount Kailash Yatra: One of the most secular places of worshiping, Mount Kailash is considered pious by people of Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bonpos faith. The peak of the mountain is one of the most significant peaks partially because it is a religious site and partially because it has never been climbed in respect to people of various faiths. Hindus believe it to be the place to be eternal residence of Lord Shiva where he meditates perpetually and a Parikrama of the mountain is believed to be highly sacred.
These pilgrimage tours are not just a means to acquire Nirvana, but also are more of a spiritual journey which some-how connects one with their faith and their roots. People take up these journeys to thank god, praise him for what they have been given and thus is a very heartening gesture.
