Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism coexist in our country with more than 80 percent of the population is Hindu by faith. In a country which is entrenched by faith and religion, religious pilgrimages are a respected tradition, with tours available to many famous and sacred religious landmarks. Pilgrims include visitors from all over the world who visit India to take one part in any one of these sacred journeys.
Amarnath Yatra: The Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, is the focus of Amarnath Yatra (amarnathji.com), an annual pilgrimage to the Himalayas during the height of summer. Hindus believe that Lord Shiva recounted the secret of creation in the cave while a pair of pigeons apparently eavesdropped, and thus became immortals, reborn again and again. The weather is normally cold and rainy, so pilgrims require warm clothes, waterproof boots or shoes, raincoats and umbrellas, and sleeping bags, blankets and tents if they plan to camp. Organizers advise interested pilgrims to ensure that they are sufficiently fit to participate in the journey that reaches heights of 14,000 feet. Organizers recommend that travelers purchase medical insurance.
Footsteps of Buddha: Travel Corporation (India) Ltd. (tcindia.com) offers a 15-day pilgrimage tour named"Footsteps of Buddha," that traces the path of Buddha in the wider context of other religions and historical landmarks. Some of the destinations that are part of this tour are Sarnath (an important Buddhist destination), Bodhgaya houses the sacred Peepal tree under which Gautama the Buddha attained enlightenment, Mahabodhi Temple, which depicts Buddha's journey to enlightenment, and Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum, which houses ancient Buddhist sculptures. The Patna Museum also houses significant Buddhist sculptures. In Kushinagar, the Rambhar Stupa is where the cremation of Buddha took place and where the recumbent statue of Lord Buddha graces the Mahaparinirvana Temple. A highlight of the tour is Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha.
Sri Harimandir Sahib: Perhaps the most famous pilgrimage landmark among Sikhs is Sri Harimandir Sahib in the city of Amritsar, Punjab. This temple is commonly called the ‘Golden Temple’ or Darbar Sahib. The Golden Temple symbolizes the spiritual and historical seat and traditions of the Sikhs. A selection of pilgrimage tours is available that also includes stops at a Punjabi village, the Amritsar Bazaar and the Ranjit Singh Museum.
- Jain Temples: Jainism advocates compassion and non-violence. Jain temples (touropia.com) stand throughout India. In addition to their religious symbolism, these intricately carved temples are examples of Jain architecture and art. Five exquisite Dilwara temples are located near Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan, India's largest state. Constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, they feature finely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels. Palitana in Gujarat in western India is a sacred place of pilgrimage, where Jain temples made of marble grace Mount Shatrunjaya. In Delhi, the Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, fashioned in red sandstone, dates to 1526.
South India Temple Tours: The temples of South India has long been respected by all architecture experts around the world, and revered by the devotees equally. Tour packages include the best known temples of Tamil Nadu, which houses numerous splendid temples scattered in and around the state. This tour includes Chennai city temple visits to Parthasarathy temple, Kapaleshwar, Santhome Cathedral Church, Mahabahipuram, Auroville Ashram in Pondicherry, Temples enroute Tanjore (Varadaja Perumal, Manakula Vinagar), Brahedeshwaran Kovil, and Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai.
Muslim Tours: This tour involves the best of Muslim origin in India, be it the forts, palaces or the Mosque including Humayun’s Tomb, Ajmer Dargah Sharef, Fatehpur Sikri, Taj Mahal, and Tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daullah . The Muslim Kings, especially the Mughals who intermingled with the Indian society at large, have gifted some of the best architecture to the Indian art scenario and their effect is still accepted as one of the most respected.