Hindu pilgrimage sites in India

In Hinduism, the yatra (pilgrimage) to the tirthas (sacred places) has special significance for earning the punya (spiritual merit) needed to attain the moksha (salvation) by performing the darśana (viewing of deity), the parikrama (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 (alms 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 waters, such as sacred rivers or their tributaries (among the rigvedic rivers of sapta sindhu the trio ganges-yamuna-saraswati are considered most sacred), the kundas (pond or lake, among these the Lake Manasarovar is considered most scared), the ghats (water bodies with stairs such as Ghats in Varanasi), or the stepwells (among these the rani ki vav in the form of inverted temple is considered most spectacular), or the temple tanks.
In India there are 7 Sapta Puri holy cities, 4 Dhams (Char Dham) and 12 Jyotirlings devoted to the Lord Shiva, 51 Shakti 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).
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 birth place of Rama. The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, India is a Hindu temple, that was inaugurated on 22 January 2024 after a prana pratishtha (consecration) ceremony. In Hindu tradition, this temple is believed to be located at an ancient pilgrimage site of Ram Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Rama, a principal deity of Hinduism. Ayodhya's Ram temple is projected to have 50 million visitors per year, which will make it the top pilgrimage site in the world.
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 saw an average footfall of above 45,000 per day.
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), which is under the Andhra Pradesh Government. The head of TTD is appointed by 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", and it is one of the top Hindu pilgrimage destinations in India. 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], 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 beautiful shrine which was constructed in the year 1922. Shirdi Sai Baba temple is approx. 200 KM from Mumbai city. Also, this temple is known to be the Second richest temple in India where millions of pilgrims visits daily. Shirdi is flocked by devotees and tourists who come to this holy land of Sri Sai Baba.This temple has been managed by Sri Saibaba Sansthan Trust,Shirdi also known as SSST,SHIRDI.The Temple is visited by more than 60,000 per day and the number goes up by 2 to 3 lakh per day on the special occasion. Temple has also recorded the highest number, more than 30 million devotees annually ,which make it the top pilgrimage site in the world.
Vaishno Devi Temple, also known as the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and Vaishno Devi Bhavan, is a Hindu mandir (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 elevation. The Shakti tradition considers it to be a Shakti 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. It is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites in north-west India, with millions of devotees visiting the hill temple annually. In 2018, the Vaishno Devi shrine reported that it had received 8.5 million pilgrims that year.
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.Shri Hrishikesh Narayan Temple (Bharat Mandir)
2.Veerabhadra Temple
3.Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
4.Laxman temple
5.Shatrughna Temple
6.Chandreshwar Mahadev temple
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)
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
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 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 world wide 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, also called as Mathura Puri is a 84 kos tirth kshetra present in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Vishnu as krishna. Today this Braj region consist of mathura district of uttar pradesh and some parts of the state of Haryana and Rajasthan.Temples present here are established by the Grandson of Krishna, "Vajranabh". Therefore this tirth is known by the name of Vajranabh as Braj.This tirth is mentioned in skand puran, bhagvat puran, Brahma vaivarta puran, etc.
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
7.Ra