Top Religious Places in North India

Known For : Vaishno Devi Mandir Ardhkuwari

Located in Trikuta hills, 13 km from Katra at the height of 1560 m above sea level with bright clouds and thinning air, this town is the holy cave temple of Mata Vaishnodevi, with spirituality and vibrancy lingering in the atmosphere.

Best Time: October to June

8 Vaishno Devi Attractions

Known For : Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Dashashwamedh Ghat Ganga Aarti, Varanasi

A city as old as time itself. A city that has stayed in place and watched as the world has turned and the tides have changed. A city that has stood the test of time for thousands of years. In the words of Mark Twain, "Older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, And looks twice as old as all of them put together." Varanasi, the city that is more than just the spiritual capital of India. The city which can be aptly described as a melting pot where both life and death come together. The city that you only need to visit once for it to stay with you forever.

Best Time: October to March

42 Varanasi Attractions

Known For : Ganga Aarti in Haridwar Har Ki Pauri Chandi Devi Temple

No spiritual journey can ever be considered complete without a visit to Haridwar, one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Literally meaning 'the abode of Lord Vishnu', Haridwar, located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, is a land of legends and myths. Considered as one of the seven holiest cities in India, Haridwar sees millions of people flock to it every year to pay their respects to the Lord, or to wash away their sins. However, with the passage of time, Haridwar has evolved from being a mere religious city to a multifaceted cultural and spiritual centre, and only after exploring Haridwar will you realize that there is a lot more to the city than just visiting temples and taking a dip in the holy Har ki Pauri. Haridwar has a perennial mystical air around i, and is the perfect holiday option for anyone seeking spiritual connection as well as a chance to indulge in and get closer to nature.

Best Time: Throughout the year

36 Haridwar Attractions

Known For : Amarnath Cave Amarnath Yatra Baltal

Amarnath is one of the most important pilgrimage in India for the worshippers of Lord Shiva. The Amarnath cave is haven to an enshrined image of ice called the Shivaling formed naturally, which resembles Lord Shiva.

Best Time: May to September

4 Amarnath Attractions

Known For : Mahabodhi Temple Great Buddha Statue Tibetan Refugee Market

One of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, Bodhgaya is a village in the state of Bihar. It was here under the Bodhi tree that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The place is bustling with pilgrims all through the year who come to pay their homage in the monasteries, shrines and temples. It also attracts tourists from India and abroad owing to its magnificent Buddha statue, the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi tree.

Best Time: October to March

26 Bodh Gaya Attractions

Known For : Gangotri Temple Gangotri Glacier Surya Kund

This pilgrimage destination situated in Uttarkashi is mostly famous for the four religious centers, or as they say, the Char Dham spots.

Best Time: April to June, September to November

20 Gangotri Attractions

Known For : Badrinath Temple Charanpaduka Tapt Kund

Badrinath is a pilgrim centre (among one of the Char Dham) set in the backdrop of Neelkanth Mountain Peak dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Best Time: May to June, September to October

19 Badrinath Attractions

Known For : Janki Chatti Yamunotri Temple Hanuman Chatti

Revered as the origin of Yamuna river, the pilgrim centre (among one of the 'Chhota Char Dham') nestled in the laps of Garhwal Himalayas at 3293 mts high uses its natural elements to fascinate you with its visuals and create a spiritual charm.

Best Time: May to June, September to November

9 Yamunotri Attractions

Known For : Golden Temple Wagah Border Jallianwala Bagh

Home of the glorious Golden Temple, the iconic city of Amritsar, portrays the heroic character of the Punjab. A day in this peaceful city starts with the spiritual prayers from Gurudwaras. The original name of first the ancient lake, then of the temple complex, and later the surrounding city, meaning "pool of ambrosial nectar."

Best Time: October to March

34 Amritsar Attractions

Known For : Dalai Lama Temple St. John in the Wilderness Church Dharamshala Cricket Stadium

Dharamsala is famed as the holy residence of the Dalai Lama and houses the Tibetan monk in exile. Dharamsala is located in Kangra district at a distance of 18km fro Kangra City. The city is distinctively separated as upper and lower divisions with different altitudes. The lower division is the Dharamsala town itself whereas the upper division is popularly known as Mcleodganj.

Best Time: October to June

38 Dharamsala Attractions

Known For : Kedarnath Temple Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi Shri Bhairavnath Temple

Atop 3584 mts, this is one of the Char Dhams and one of the busiest pilgrim centres in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is believed that in order to evade the Pandavas, Lord Shiva hid himself in the form of a bull at Kedarnath, and when found by the Pandavas, he went further into the earth leaving the hump on the surface.

Best Time: May to June, September to October

14 Kedarnath Attractions

Known For : Rafting in Rishikesh Lakshman Jhula Triveni Ghat

Situated along the convergence of Ganga and Chandrabhaga, Rishikesh on the foothills of Himalayas is the hub of many ancient temples, popular cafes, yoga ashrams and adventure sports.
Rishikesh is the most beautiful blend of spiritual and adrenaline pumping experiences. With Whitewater Rafting industry growing and a number of camping and cafe spots springing up, Rishikesh has grown immensely as a favourite, catering to people with different needs.

Best Time: Throughout the year

53 Rishikesh Attractions

The Jwala Devi Temple is of utmost religious importance to the followers of Hinduism, and worshipped as one of the 51 shaktipeeths (incarnations of the Holy Goddess).

Located in the Parvati Valley along the banks of river Parvati in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, Manikaran is known as an important pilgrimage destination for both Sikhs and Hindus. The hot springs, religious tendencies, and beautiful surroundings attract a lot of people. A good number of temples and Gurudwara, Manikaran Sahib forms the religious pattern of the place.

Best Time: October to June

3 Manikaran Sahib Attractions

Known For : Dhamek Stupa Sarnath Archaeological Site The Mahabodhi Society Temple

A quiet and spiritual town set amidst the otherwise densely populated state of Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is a city of historical marvel with numerous Buddhist stupas, museums, excavated ancient sites and beautiful temples that prove to be a source of immense wonder and astonishment to tourists due to their mystical and serene setting. Being just 10 kms from Varanasi, Sarnath is often flocked with devotees is the perfect pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus, alike.  

Best Time: October to March

9 Sarnath Attractions

Known For : Vishwanath Temple, Guptakashi Manikarnik Kund Ardhanarishwar Temple

The temple town of Guptakashi is located at a distance of 47 kms from the holy town of Kedarnath. Perched at an elevation of 1319 m above the sea level, Guptakashi enjoys the mesmerising backdrop of the enchanting snow-covered peaks of Chaukhamba mountains.

It houses two ancient temples namely Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ardhnareshwar Temple. Manikarnika Kund is another popular destination in the town. In fact, Guptkashi serves as a perfect stopover for those travelling to Kedarnath. The fantastic weather, lush green forests and captivating views of Chaukhmaba Range along with its rich past and heritage, the town is a wholesome package for vacation makers.

Best Time: March to June, September to November

7 Guptakashi Attractions

Known For : Dodital Lake Nachiketa Lake Dodital Dayara Pass Trek

Endearingly called as Devbhoomi, Uttarkashi, literally meaning 'Kashi of the North', is a quaint little town tucked away in the hill state of Uttarakhand. Revered by the Hindus as one of their propitious religious sites, the townhouses two of the total four holy shrines of Hindu mythology. It is one of the most visited cities of religious relevance in the area and gives you a sense of heightened divinity and an out of the world experience. The region was more in the favour of religious tourism initially but lately the spurring of trekking and adventure activities invites a lot of non religion tourists as well. Replete with ashrams and mandir, the town has got a spiritual vibe to it. All in all, the entire place boasts of divine heritage, mesmerising natural beauty, scenic panoramas and a wonderful irenic atmosphere.

Best Time: March to June, September to November

9 Uttarkashi Attractions

Known For : Gangotri Temple Gangotri Glacier Surya Kund

This pilgrimage destination situated in Uttarkashi is mostly famous for the four religious centers, or as they say, the Char Dham spots.

Best Time: April to June, September to November

20 Gangotri Attractions

Nestled amid the Himalayan Ranges, Sri Hemkunt Sahib is a sacred pilgrimage revered by thousands of Sikhs every year. Adorned with beautiful scenic view, the holy place offers tranquility at such an altitude.

Known For : Berinag Patal Bhubaneswar Temple Haat Kalika Temple

Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a magical place with several hidden and unexplored aspects to it. Located at an elevation of 1350m above the sea level, this place is tagged as a spiritual place renowned for its Shiva Temple cave.

Best Time: October to June

4 Patal Attractions

One of the most visited shrines of the Holy Goddess, is the Chamunda Devi Temple, about 15 km from the Kangra Valley. The temple is home to the shrine of the raging form of the goddess, wherein she is flanked by the male Hindu deities, Hanuman and Bhairava.

Known For : MoonLand Lamayuru Monastery Uleytokpo

Lamayuru is a small village situated midway between Kargil and Leh on NH1-D also known as the Srinagar- Leh Highway. It is situated 100 km ahead of Leh, after Fotu La- the highest pass on the Srinagar-Leh Highway. Known as the 'place of freedom' and housing the oldest and one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh region, Lamayuru is the place to visit for all those seeking peace and tranquillity.  Lamayuru is immensely famous for a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery located nearby. However, its claim to fame is accredited to the surreal breathtaking view of moonlike landscapes carved into the mountains. A large lake long ago dried up and the protrusions looked like the surface of the moon. Tourists from various places visit this relatively serene destination to immerse in this scenic beauty.

Best Time: April to June

5 Lamayuru Attractions