India is the largest religiously pluralistic and multiethnic democracy in world. Home to 1.4 billion people, which is almost one-sixth of the world's population, India is one of the most reigiously and ethnically diverse nations in the world, with some of most deeply religious societies and cultures.

while 94% of the world's Hindus live in India, there also are substantial population of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and other of folk religions.

The rich and dynamic spiritual air in the country carries the essence of Dharma and Karma to greet your spiritually thirsty souls. It’s no surprise that this South Asian country is rife with sacred sites. We have listed the most beautiful religious places in India for you, where you can go with your family, friends or yourself to discover peace, enlightenment, and wonder.

In Hinduism, the Yatras (pilgrimage) to the tirths (sacred places) has the special significance for earning the punya (spiritual merit) needed to attain the moksha (salvation) by performing the darshan (viewing of deity), the parikarma (circumambulation), the Yajna (sacrificial fire offering), the Dhyana (spiritual contemplation), the puja (worship), the prarthana (prayer, which could be in the form of mantra- sacred chants, bhajan - prayer singing, or kirtan - collective musical prayer performance), the dakshina (aims and donation for worthy cause), the seva (selfless service towards community, devotees or temple), the bhandara (running volunteer community kitchen for pilgrims) etc. These sacred places are usually located on the banks of sacred water bodies, such as sacred rivers or the tributaries (among the rigvedic rivers or sapta sindhu the trio ganges-yamuna-saraswati are considered most sacred), the kundas (ponds or lake, among the Lake Mansarowar is considered most sacred), the ghats (water bodies with stairs such as Ghats in Varanasi), or the Stepwells (among these rani ki vav) in the form of inverted temple is considered most spectular), or the temple tanks.

In order of importance, in India these are 7 Sapta Puri holy cities, 4 Dhams (Char Dhams) and 12 Jyotirilings devoteed to the Lord Shiva, 51 Shakti Pithas to the faminine manifestation of the god, and the important Lord Rama circuit (Ayodhya, Chitrakot, Hampi and Rameswaram) and Lord Krishna (Braj, KuruKshetra and Dwarka).

DEVOTIONAL PLACES

Himalayan Char Dham - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Haridwar, RishiKesh, Mathura-Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Dwarka, Rameshwaram, Gujarat,

HOLY FAIRS

The Kumbh Mela (the "pitcher festival") is one of the holiest pilgrimages that is held four times every twelve years. The location is rotated among the four cities of Parayraj, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain. The Mahamaham in temple town of Kumbakonam is also located once in 12 years. Annual Gita Mahostav at KuruKshetra, Shravani Mela at Deoghar and Pitrapaksha Mela at Gaya are also notable holy fairs.

Religious places in India are some of the most sacred places in the world with plenty of significance associated with each of them. Visiting these holy places in India is a must for anyone who wants to experience the essence of the country.

These places will help you get in touch with the world which is so much bigger than you. A visit to a pilgrim places with your family is the best way to develop faith in both your kids and yourself.

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