“The desire for connection with the Divine and our formless inner self is at the foundation of all desires for human connection.”- Donna Goddard
In a world of difference between all similarities, in the age of cut-throat competitions and survival instincts, sometimes we feel in need of a good mental and physical health. Good mental health defines our physical health and vice versa. To cut down the mundane life, we engage ourselves in traveling and all forms of recreation. But when that also is not enough for us, we are in search of some inner peace, an inner awakening, and spiritual growth.
India is a diverse nation, a culmination of many religions and cultures. Many newlywed couples, senior citizens, and family go to places filled with spiritual aura and divine blessings to enrich their life. Especially, many newly wedded couples chose to book couple friendly hotel rooms and go to some spiritual places to seek blessings to start with their new journey of marriage. Many people who want to give new meaning to their life and to understand their inner self, book hotel rooms on an hourly basis or 24 hours check-in hotels, and stay near these places to undergo a complete transformation. In India, many places will help you to grow and understand spiritual powers. Here, we have the top 10 places that you can consider going
1-Puri Jagannath temple- Rath Yatra
Situated in one of the coastal cities of eastern India, Jagannath Temple at Puri is one of the char dhams. The other 3 are Dwarka, Badrinath, and Rameshwaram. It is one of the most famous pilgrimage destinations of the people of India as well as out of India. Lakhs of people visit Puri daily to seek blessings of Lord Jagannath. He is regarded as the living God. With the temple shrouded in many mysteries, you can feel a divine presence at this place. Lord Jagannath with his brother Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are being worshipped here. The grand Chariot festival/Rath Yatra which is held in the month of June-July is one of the festivals to attend in here to feel the presence of God. The deities are taken to Gundicha temple in elaborately decorated chariots and bathed in perfumed water with one hundred and eight pitchers. People from all over the world come here to witness this and stay here for many days to grow spiritually. The best way to reach Puri is via Bhubaneswar. You can stay at a hotel in Bhubaneshwar and can visit Puri which is just at a distance of 2 hours from the smart city.
2-Ganga Aarti at Haridwar
River Ganga has a unique divine presence in Indian Culture. The history witnessed many civilizations have worshipped the elements of nature like The Sun, The Moon, Rivers, etc. The river Ganga is considered the most sacred and till today it is of high value to people. The Ganda Aarti at Haridwar is one of the mesmerizing events to see in your lifetime. The divine chants, the holy vibes, and the electric atmosphere as the worshippers hold up huge and flaming aartis in devotion to the Gods and Goddess Ganga. It takes place at Triveni Ghat which is a Sangam (fusion of 3 sacred rivers of India-Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. It also happens at Dasaswamedh Ghat in Varanasi and Hari ki Pauri Ghat in Haridwar. At Haridwar, it is the most interactive of all. The best way to reach Haridwar is in Delhi. Many newlyweds book a couple-friendly hotel room at Delhi and then plan their trip to Hardiwar by road to witness this mesmerizing Aarti and seek the blessings of almighty. You can also book hotel in Haridwar to rest when tired.
3-Golden Temple, Amritsar
“Consider our body as a temple and our heart as a place where God or the Guru resides. If we open up our hearts like the gates of the Golden Temple, if we don't fight with each other in the name of religion, if we treat every individual equally then the God inside us will be happy.”- Raj Kiran Atargaraha, The Golden Temple
Sri Harmandir Sahib, Darbar Sahib, or The Golden Temple is one of the most famous Gurudwaras in the world. It is one of the most revered spiritual sites of Sikhism. People from all over the world with different cultural background visit the temple to offer their selfless “Seva” and get the motive of the importance of “Seva”. This participation adds up to their spiritual and mental growth. This is one of the must-do spiritual experiences as a new peace of mind enters you.
4-Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
Located in the northeast region of India, this monastery is one of the largest in the country and second-largest in the world. It is situated at an elevation of 10,000 feet amongst the Himalayan ranges. It was founded by Merek Lama Lodge Gyamtso in 1680 as per the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama. The monastery is a beautifully built with picturesque scenic views and a pleasant climate. It is a perfect place for Buddhist studies and meditation.
5-Sheikh Salim Chisti Dargah, Fatehpur Sikri
It is a well-known religious place for Muslims and was built by Emperor Akbar in the year 1581. If you talk about the exceptional work of Mughal architecture, this place comes on the top. Dedicated to the famous Sufi Saint, this place welcomes people from all religions and communities. People from all over the world visit the place to experience the divine aura, seek blessings of the saint, and grow spiritually. It fills the mind with a unique peaceful vibe. Being 4kms away from Delhi, the best way to reach Fatehpur Sikri is via Delhi itself. You can book a hotel in Delhi and can hit the road to reach the Dargah.
6-Tirupati Balaji Temple, Andhra Pradesh
It is a prestigious and extremely popular pilgrimage site in the country. This Venkateswara temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu is situated in the 7th peak of Tirumala Hills. It is one of the richest temples of the world and lakhs of people visit this daily to seek divine blessings. Many couples visit this place to kick start their spiritual journey and to have a deeper understanding of life. The best way to reach Tirupati is via Chennai. You can book a couple-friendly hotel in Chennai and then can reach Tirupati via road.
7-Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajasthan
This temple is dedicated to the 1st Tirthankar of Jainism and is one of the most important temples of the Jain culture. The temple architecture is one of the finest in the country with 1444 pillars of white marbles and intricate carvings. This is a peaceful pilgrimage site where people visit daily to grow spiritually. The best way to reach this place via Udaipur, Jodhpur or Jaipur.
8-Auroville, Pondicherry
If you talk about peace and spiritual growth, this place comes into mind in the first go. Auroville believes in creating a place where people from all backgrounds can live freely instead of any nation claiming it. Its purpose is to realize human unity. These thoughts itself will give you spiritual joy and an experience worth remembering. Amidst the gardens, farms, peaceful surroundings, and ashrams, people grow holistically in this place. The best way to reach this place is via Chennai. You can book a couple friendly hotel in Chennai and then plan your trip to Auroville with your partner.
9-Study, meditate and pray at Bodh Gaya
Situated in Bihar, this is one of the significant places for Buddhists around the world. It was this particular place where Gautama Buddha got enlightenment. Several people around the world visit this place to meditate, pray, and get a peaceful vibe. The best way to reach Bodh Gaya is via Patna.
10-Shirdi, Maharashtra
Shirdi is the most popular place in the world where lakhs of people rush daily to seek blessings of “Shirdi Ke sai baba!” People from all religious backgrounds visit this place and engage in worshipping and seeking holy blessings. A unique peaceful spiritual vibe can be felt while you are in this place. Many newlywed couples visit the place to seel blessings to start a new journey. They book couple-friendly hotels at Mumbai and then start with a road trip to Shirdi.
As said by Steve Maraboli- “When you find yourself in need of spiritual nourishment, it is in the opportunities to serve others that you will find the abundance you seek.”