Spiritual India

Spirituality and religion are part of everyday life in India. Spirituality & Religion are often used interchangeably. While religion is more to do with rituals, spirituality is that which has to do with one’s Self or, the spirit. Anything done for its growth and advancement is spirituality. They are not opposed, but stem from one another. While religion is more organised and includes public rituals, spirituality is more private and personal. Spiritual India, rich in holy places, traditions and rituals, offers much for those seeking knowledge and awareness. Visit these popular sacred destinations to maximize your spiritual experience in India.

Haridwar or the "Gateway to God" is one of the seven holiest places in India, and one of the oldest living cities. Located at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, it's very popular with Hindu pilgrims who come to take a dip in the holy waters of the fast flowing Ganges River and wash away their sins. Unlike Varanasi, the water is clean and fresh in Haridwar. The Morning & Evening Ganga Aarti  on the Ganga Bank holds special appeal.

Varanasi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, is one of the seven sacred Hindu cities with a very old history. It is an intense city that attracts Hindu pilgrims and foreigners alike Known as the city of Lord Shiva, the god of creation and destruction, it’s believed that anyone who dies here will be liberated from the cycle of reincarnation.  The fascinating thing about this mystical city is that its rituals are revealed openly along the many riverside ghats.

Bodhgaya is located in Bihar & is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage place in the world. It is here that Lord Buddha became enlightened during intense meditation under a Bodhi tree. The exact spot is now a sprawling Mahabodhi Temple complex. This town is also home to dozens of Buddhist monasteries. There are plenty of meditation and Buddhism courses and retreats on offer at this place.

Rishikesh, is considered to be the birthplace of yoga. It is a popular place to come and meditate, do yoga, and learn about other aspects of Hinduism. It is very close to Haridwar & is also situated on the banks of the Ganges River like Haridwar. It is surrounded by hills on three sides. It has numerous ashrams and yoga institutes for those seeking knowledge and peace. It's particularly popular with spiritual seeking foreigners, while Haridwar holds more significance for Hindu pilgrims.

Amritsar was founded by Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru of Sikhs in 1577. It’s the spiritual capital of the Sikhs and gained its name, meaning "Holy Pool of Nectar", from the body of water around the Golden Temple. The exquisite Golden Temple attracts pilgrims from all over the world. It looks most engrossing at night when it’s beautifully lit up, with its imposing pure gold dome illuminated.

Yoga

Yoga is the mastery of the activities of the mind-field. Its traditional meaning is “realizing the union of the individual and the universal’. The word “Yoga” comes from traditional Sanskrit language, that union is a universal process. Nowadays Yoga is also considered as a synonym of physical fitness or physical well-being.  The main goal of Yoga practices is to attain the highest Joy that comes from the Realization in direct experience of the centre of consciousness; that is The Self. Yoga is in religion, but religion is not in Yoga. The principles of Yoga can be found in Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, and most of the other religions. However, unlike religions, Yoga itself has no deity, worship services, rituals, sacred icons, creed, confession, clergy, institutions, congregation, membership procedure, or system of temples or churches. The main Yoga traditions are Hatha Yoga, Karya Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Raja Yoga, Swara Yoga & Yantra Yoga. Meditation is one of the most famous forms of Yoga.

In India wellness centers that practice Yoga & Meditation have taken medical tourism to the next level. It's at a wellness center that you'll be able to pursue physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. You'll find most of these centers in southern India, particularly in the states of Kerala and Karnataka.