Indian Holy Cities are considered as sacred from early era for the historical and mythological significances. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Jainism rose into prominence for socio-political drama.
Ayodhya, Faizabad District, Uttar Pradesh
Ayodhya is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, who was known as greatest king of early history. Ayodhya is a city of many Hindu temples and mosques. The place is also known as "Ram Janmabhoomi".
Mathura, Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh
Mathura is renowned as the birthplace of Lord Krishna and it was developed near Yamuna. The spectacular ghats are located near river bank where devotees take bath. Janmashtami, Holi and Diwali can be witnessed here.
Haridwar, Haridwar District, Uttarakhand
Haridwar is one among the four pilgrimage tourism sites where drops of "Amrita" (elixir) spilled over from the pitcher which was carried away by Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu.
Varanasi, Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi, also known as Kashi is noted for Kashi Vishwanath Temple (where Lord Shiva and Parvati reside). Ghats of Varanasi, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and Durga Temple are the popular places here.
Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District Tamil Nadu
Kanchipuram, is known as "Golden City of Thousand Temples". Here one can find the Pallava architecture and the temples of Chola era. Kailasanathar Temple is the oldest existing temple of Kanchipuram.
Ujjain, Ujjain District, Madhya Pradesh
Ujjain is an ancient city of temples and this region is noted for Kalidasa, King Vikramaditya and Raja Bhoj, who made the city historically significant.
Dwarka, Dwarka District, Gujarat
Dwarka was the dwelling place of Lord Krishna. Here one can also find the monasteries of Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
Ajmer, Ajmer District, Rajasthan
Ajmer is noted for the presence of mortal remains of Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti which were buried in the Dargah Sharif. Urs festival is the cynosure of this place.
Amritsar, Amritsar District, Punjab
Amritsar is place for Sikhs, due to the presence of Golden temple. This is historically notified for the Sikh temples in India.
Bodhgaya, Gaya District, Bihar
Bodhgaya marks the presence of Mahabodhi temple, under the Bodhi tree, where Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, attained "Nirvana". This place is very near to Rajgir.
Kushinagar, Kushinagar District, Uttar Pradesh
Kushinagar is a significant destination of Buddhism in India for being the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. Nirvana Stupa, Mahaparinirvana temple, Wai Thai Temple, Ramabhar stupa and Japanese Temple serve as the cynosure here.
Kundalpur, Damoh District, Madhya Pradesh
Kundalpur is noted for the presence of 63 Jain temples along with Vardhamansagar Lake and Kundalpur Lake.
Udvada, Valsad District, Gujarat
Udvada is a Zoroastrian pilgrimage tourism destination for the presence of Iran Shah Atash Behram.
