Varanasi:

The great river banks at Varanasi are built high with eighteenth- and nineteenth-century pavillions and palaces, temples and terraces, lined with an endless chain of stone steps - progressing along the whole of the waterfront, altering in appearance with the dramatic seasonal fluctuations of the river level. Each of the hundred ghats, big and small, is marked by a lingam, and occupies its own special place in the history of the city. Some have crumbled over the years, others continue to thrive, with early-morning bathers, brahmin priests offering puja, and people practising meditation and yoga. Hindus regard the Ganges water as "amrita", the elixir of life, which brings purity to the living and salvation to the dead.
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Khajuraho
Khajuraho derives its name from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree) which abound a plenty in the region. The construction of these temples began in the reign of King Yasovarman. Eighty five of these temples were built, of which around twenty two survive today. These temples are divided into three geographical blocks: the western, eastern and the southern. The western block is the biggest and the richest in artistry.
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Konark
The Sun temple at Konark, 65 kms. from Bhubaneshwar, was constructed by the most powerful Ganga king, Narasingha Deb-I (1238-1264 A.D.) The temple was conceived as a celestial chariot of the Sun god drawn on 12 pairs of luxuriantly decorated wheels driven by seven spirited horses. The now-ruined Viman which housed the presiding deity is 227 ft. high. The temple with its exceptional sense of proportion and the superb execution of postures of the icons is considered the climax of Orissan craftsmanship.
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Puri
The Jagannath temple in Puri is one of the four major religious centres of Hinduism and houses one of the four Sankaracharyas (somewhat equivalent to the Pope in Christianity) of the Hindu religion.

Puri is located in the Indian state of Orissa, on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is 59 kilometers from the Orissan capital of Bhubaneshwar, and about 180 kilometers south of Calcutta. Puri is an ancient town (over 2,000 years old), much older than its internationally famous neighbour to the north. The city is primarily known for the temple of Lord Jagannath and the annual Rath Festival.
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Ajanta & Ellora
Aurangabad which is 400 kms. away from Bombay, an arrival point for visiting Ellora (25 kms. away) and Ajanta (100 kms. away). Ellora has 34 rock cut temples of three faiths - Buddhism, Jainism, and Brahmanic Hinduism. One of the most interesting historical sites in India, these man-made caves were literally scooped out of solid rocks. The 29 Buddhist caves of Ajanta not only contain remarkable sculptures but also very well preserved wall paintings. In Aurangabad the Daulatabad Fort - an impregnable hill top Mughal fort, and 'Bibi ka Maqbara', a mausoleum of Aurangzeb's queen, are worth a visit too.
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Gangotri
The source from where the Bhagirathi river emanates. Every stone in the Himalayas is said to have a sanctity of its own, every hill-top a divine abode and every stream considered holy.

The motorable road takes one from Haridwar-Rishikesh, which is considered the gateway to the land of the Gods, to the first major confluence on the road to Kedar-Badri. At Deoprayag, 71 kms from Rishikesh, the Bhagirathi from Gaumukh joins the Alaknanda from Badrinath to form the Ganga, the river which has stirred the hearts of millions since time immemorial. This confluence is the point where the name Ganga is first used for this revered river. The town has a temple of Raghunathji, and is the entry point for the four shrines of Uttarakhand, namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
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Devaprayag
While flowing through the Himalayas, the Bhagirathi joins a principal tributary , the Alaknanda, at Devaprayag, 71 km from Rishikesh. The confluence at Devaprayag is considered to be the second most holy confluence after the one of Ganga and Yamuna at Allahabad in the Indian plains. It is from Devaprayag that the river gets the name Ganga.
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Uttarkashi
It is another important place in the Garhwal region. It is the gateway to the pilgrim route to Gangotri.

The beautiful small town is situated on the right bank of Bhagirathi at an altitude of about 1,550 m. The temples and ghats have names almost identical to those in Varanasi, a historical city in the Indian plains. The most important temple dedicated to Shiva is known as Vishwanath Mandir, where stands a magnificent Trishul (trident), one meter in circumference and made of copper. It supports a trident four meters long. Uttarkashi is known for its temples dedicated to Parshuram, Datatreya, Annapurna, Kali, Bhairon and other gods and goddesses. At one time, there were 365 temples in this town. Uttarkashi is also known as Barahat, literally meaning "a big market place". Kedarnath is a 12 days' trek away, Gangotri 7 days, Yamunotri 5 days and Srinagar, Garhwal 6 days away. Nowadays, motorable roads also go to most of these places. Uttarkashi also has a number of ashrams for the sanyasis and mendicants who occupy the banks of the holy river for penance and prayers.
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Badrinath
The holy town of Badrinath is located on the banks of the Alaknanda River about 24 km from its source. It lies in an open valley at an altitude of around 11,000 ft. According to Hindu mythology, this is the site where Lord Vishnu meditated for thousands of years, eating the Badri grass found here. Lord Badrinath is worshipped here, and it is the ultimate place of worship among the Vishnu worshippers of Hinduism.
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Kedarnath
Pilgrimage to Kedarnath, the abode of Lord Shiva in the Himalayas, still retains its pristine grandeur. It is one of the "char dhams" in Uttarakhand, the others being Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri. The motor road follows the Badrinath- Rishikesh route up to Rudraprayag, where the Mandakini flowing from Kedarnath joins the Alaknanda flowing from Badrinath.
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Kanya Kumari or Cape Comorin
The India's Land's end. Kanya Kumari or Cape comorin is unique in being surrounded by three seas that is Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea. Hence the confluence is called "Thriveni Sangamam". Here one can get a breath - taking view of the Sun rise and Sun Set at their best. The multicoloured sand is yet another unique feature of the Beach here.

Gandhi Mandapam here has been so designed that on the birthday of Gandhiji, on October 2nd, the sun's rays directly fall on the spot, where the mortal remains of the father of the nation had been kept before being immersed in the sea.

Kanayakumari Amman temple on the shore is another attraction. According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess Sakthi remains a virgin to save mankind. Amidst the sea of Kanayakumari, a small hillock houses the memorial for the spiritual leader Swamy Vivekananda. Meditate in the chamber adjoining the memorial and feel light in your heart and realise the fraternity gospelled by Swami Vivekananda.
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Thiruvannamalai
A holy temple town with a remarkable location at the foot of the Arunachala hill. Of the over hundred temples most important is the Arunacahla Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, whose home this town is believed to be. This temple built during the 16th and 17th centuries under the patronage of Vijayanagar Kings boasts of one of the finest examples of architecture and craftsmanship. Also close to the town is the famous ashram of Guru Ramana Maharishi.
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Thiruvananthapuram
Neyyar Dam located 30 kms. east of Thiruvananthapuram has a beautiful wooded and hilly landscape to offer. Close to the adjacent Kottur Reserve Forest is situated the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram which offers wide range of Yoga and meditaion courses. The serene atmosphere provided a perfect location for all such activities.
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Mammalapuram
Situated 58 kms from Madras and on Bay of Bengal has fourteen cave temples, nine monolithic shrines, three stone temples and four relief sculptured rock panels to offer to the visiting tourists. The calm and peaceful atmosphere on the sea shore provides an excellent location for meditational and spiritual pursuits.
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Nalanda
Nalanda is believed to be the oldest university in the world. Founded in the 5th century BC, it became a renowned centre of Buddhist and Jain learning. Hieun Tsang, the Chinese traveller, spent several years here in the 7th century AD. Nalanda Archaeological Museum has a magnificent collection of Pali and Mauryan statues, bronze and manuscripts. Nalanda Mahavihara an institute for the study of Pali literature houses rare Buddhist manuscripts.

Though Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this famous centre of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 5th - 12th centuries. The Chinese scholar and traveller Hiuen Tsang stayed here in the 7th century, and has left an elaborate description of the excellence, and purity of monastic life practised here. About 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students from all over the Buddhist world, lived and studied in this international university.
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Sarnath
After attaining enlightenment, Buddha came to Sarnath, where he preached his first sermon. In the sylvan surroundings of a deer park, he initiated his first five disciples into the Buddhist monkhood. Here began one of the greatest religions of the world. Emperor Ashoka erected a magnificent stupa here. Forgotten for centuries, Sarnath was excavated by British archaeologists in 1836.
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Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world. Apart from being a significant archaeological site, it is also a vital Buddhist centre. Devout Buddhists and tourists from all over the world visit Bodhgaya, to study Buddhism and the art of meditation, or to simply absorb the aura of solemn grandeur that surrounds the place. Bodhgaya is a quiet and peaceful place. You could visit Bodhgaya in a day, or even plan a long study leave, depending on your inclination.

Under the giant Bodhi tree, the Buddha gained enlightenment. After spending seven weeks pondering over his awakening, he stepped out to spread his message to the world. The Niranjana river where he bathed after enlightenment still flows close by. Bodhgaya has a magnificent complex of monasteries in various Buddhist architectural styles. Click Here for a Custom- made Pilgrimage Tour to Bodhgaya


Rajgir
The ancient capital of Magadha kings. The Buddha often visited Rajagriha to retreat at the Jivkamaravana monastery, preaching and meditating on the Gridhakuta Hill. The disciples of the Buddha built many structures here. Rajgir is also sacred to Jains as Lord Mahavira studied and meditated here. The first Buddhist Council was held here after the Buddha's nirvana.
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