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India is a kaleidoscope of religions and cultures. India's
glorious diversity extends to religious life as well. In words it is very
difficult to explain how so many distinct and different traditions
together form one India.
India is a kaleidoscope of religions and cultures. India's glorious
diversity extends to religious life as well. In words it is very difficult
to explain how so many distinct and different traditions together form one
India. It has to be seen and experienced. Boasting a lively pantheon of
deities that smile from exquisitely sculpted temple gopura, the Hindu
religion absorbs beliefs and philosophies from all over, thus practices
frequently differ from place to place. Nevertheless the basic tenets of
Hinduism were laid out in the Vedas, and describe the goal of uniting with
Brahma, the creator, via a life of asceticism and meditation. Hindu belief
includes the concept of samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth, and
release from samsara, or moksha.
The other religions prevalent in India are Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism,
Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Judaism.
Varanasi
In this ancient city of pilgrimage, the bathing ghats are the main
attraction. There are over 100 ghats in Varanasi that line the western
bank of the River Ganges. People flock here in large numbers every day to
take bath and worship in the temples built beside the river bank. The
centuries old tradition to offer 'puja' to the rising Sun is still done
with religious fervor and gaiety.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh located in the laps of lower Himalayas is just 24 Kms from
Haridwar, this place is considered to be the access point of three other
pilgrim places of Badrinath - Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri the four
great places which combine to make Chardham. Rishikesh is surrounded by
scenic beauty of the hills on three sides with Holy Ganga flowing through
it.
The whole place is considered to be sacred as it is believed that
meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation. There are many
temples-some ancient, some new along the river Ganges. The River side is
dotted by the ashrams of Sadhus and sages. Rishikesh is also famous for
ashrams teaching of Yoga.
Haridwar
Haridwar which is also considered the gateway of the four pilgrimages in
the Uttrakhand region, is located on the foot hills of Shivaliks. It lies
on the banks of River Ganga. Haridwar is the first city which is touched
by the river Ganga when it enters the northern plains. Though the Ganges
does not lose its rapids completely, nevertheless it becomes very quite
and calm here. The ghats on the bank of river Ganga is considered pious
and people prefer taking bath on shores. It is said that taking bath here
purifies the soul and opens the way for the ultimate freedom, Nirvana.
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is located at the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent.
The small temple dedicated to Kanyakumari, or the youthful form of the
primeval energy Shakti (Mother Goddess) is located on the seashore, in the
town known by the same name. Kanyakumari was referred to by the British as
Cape Commorin. The Kanyakumari temple is an ancient one and has been
mentioned in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Sangam works Manimekalai
and Puranaanooru. It is believed that the image of Kanyakumari was
installed and worshipped by Parasurama. It also represents the site where
the spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda spent days in meditation upon a
rock off of the coast.
Char Dham
The Himalayas with its glorious peaks, crystal clear mountain streams and
dense forests has been known as Dev Bhoomi, the land of the Gods. Nestling
in the lofty peaks are the four most holy pilgrimages of India -Yamunotri,
Gangotri, Sri Kedarnathji and Sri Badrinathji, collectively referred to as
the Char Dham ( or four pilgrimage centres) of Hinduism. For centuries,
saints and pilgrims, in their search for the divine, have walked these
mystical vales known in ancient Hindu scriptures as 'Kedarkhand'.