Spiritual Tour India

An intricate devotional ceremony involving the clanging of brass & cymbals, ringing of bells and singing of incantations is carried out by priests every evening at sunset at the embankments (Gaths) of the river in Varanasi.

Meant to honor the sacred river which gives life, nourishment and rejuvenation to millions, this elaborate ritual known as “GANGA AARTI” draws a large number of devotees from all over the Hindu world.

The Aarti is also an important tourist attraction in Varanasi.

The renowned temples of Brihadeeswarar in Thanjavur, the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram and Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu are considered tremendous exhibits of architectural brilliance.

Featuring intricate stone carving art, intricate craftsmanship and an architectural style that is unique to the region and stands out from that of the North of India, the temples of Tamil Nadu allow you to combine spiritual tranquillity with architectural exploration.

It is not hard to imagine why the serenity and tranquillity of the Himalayas have given birth to so many traditions of spirituality, meditation and yoga.

Snuggled in its foothills in Himachal Pradesh is the seat of Tibetan Buddhism in Dharamshala where the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader and head of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has been in exile since 1959.

As the hub of Buddhism, Dharamshala attracts a large number of tourists and seekers of enlightenment. A sojourn to this city of enlightenment is a must-do spiritual trip.

LORD BUDDHA is believed to have attained enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi Tree 2500 years ago.

The site of that sacred Bodhi tree is now the UNESCO World Heritage Site MAHABODHI TEMPLE COMPLEX in the state of Bihar and is a revered pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

Devotees come to this complex to meditate and circumambulate the tree under which Lord Buddha was blessed with Nirvana (enlightenment).

HARMANDIR SAHIB GURDWARA commonly known as the Golden Temple— due to the gold-leaf-covered outer sanctum of the temple— is one of the most revered sites of the Sikh faith.

Located in Amritsar, the Golden Temple houses a sacred shrine and the Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest scripture of Sikhism and offers Langar service, a free community-run kitchen that feeds the tens of thousands of daily visitors.

With a chequered history dating back to the 16th century, involving its invasion, destruction and reconstruction, the Golden Temple is an important spiritual and historical site.

Like the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony in Varanasi, a similar must-see ceremony called “Aarti Puja” or “Deeparadhana” is held at the Meenakshi Amman Temple in the historical city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

Chanting hymns and incantations, priests carry ornate lamps and sacred items amid the rhythmic beating of drums to the inner sanctum of the temple, where lamps are lit in front of Goddess Meenakshi and mantras are chanted.

The ceremony ends with the priests circumambulating (Pradakshina) around the sanctum sanctorum and followers offering flowers, incense and camphor to the deities.

Revered as the sacred birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura in Uttar Pradesh is one of the most sacred cities of Hinduism.

To devotees of Krishna, Mathura holds the same significance as Jerusalem does for devotees of Christ. It is believed that Lord Krishna was born here in a prison cell during the reign of King Kansa.

Every year the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated in a grand festival called Krishna Janmashtami, the center of which is the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple Complex.

Featuring cultural performances, massive processions, celebratory rituals and joyous celebrations, the birthday of Lord Krishna in Mathura is a must-see spiritual and cultural carnival in the month of Bhadrapada (August- September).

Another important spiritual stopover in Tamil Nadu is the town of Tiruvannamalai which hosts the Deepam Ceremony to honor Lord Shiva during the month of Karthikai (November-December) at the Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Derived from the root Deepam which means “lamp,” the highlight of the Deepam ceremony is the lighting of a gigantic lamp known as the “Maha Deepam” filled with ghee (clarified butter) at the top of the sacred hill of Arunachala.

Free meals are offered on the occasion and the atmosphere is marked by an air of jubilation and festivity.