Sapta Puri or `seven cities` of India include Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kashi, Ujjain, Dwaraka and Kanchi. All seven pilgrimages are considered to bestow Moksha. Kashi is considered as the most sacred place among these seven cities. These seven places are the birthplaces of spiritual leaders. Kanchipuram is known for the Kamakshi Amman Temple. Dwaraka represents the place where Lord Krishna had spent hundred years before he left for heaven. Mathura is the birth place of Krishna where he had spent his youth. Haridwar houses the shrines of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. It is believed that if one dies in Varanasi salvation would be achieved. Ujjain has one of the twelve Jyotirlingas which has been installed in the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple.
Kashi is considered as the holiest places in India. I f one visits the entire city of Kashi it is equal to visiting all the other six sacred places.
Ayodhya was termed as the Ram Janmabhoomi. It is located on the banks of river Sarayu. There are several temples dedicated to Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman. Ayodhya was the city ruled by Lord Rama. He went into exile, along with his brother, Lakshmana, and his wife, Sita. After years of struggle he finally returned to Ayodhya.
Mathura is located at Bakaria Kund in Kashi. The Buddhist, Vaishnava and Surya traditions have intermingled with the tradition of the cowherd hero-Lord Krishna. It is considered that Mathura should be visited in the spring months of Chaitra and Vaishakha.
Haridwar is located at the base of the Himalayan foothills. From Haridwar the Ganges emerges out of the Shivalik hills. There are many temples in the city dedicated to Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, Lord Vishnu and many other deities. Kumbha Mela and the Half-Kumbha Mela bathing fairs take place every six years.
Kanchipuram is located in Tamil Nadu. The place of Kanchi has two parts, Shiva Kanchi and Vishnu Kanchi. Kanchi has several temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The Shiva and Vishnu temples are distributed in three zones of the city. The Vishnu temples are located in the east zone; the temples dedicated to lord Shiva are in the northern zone.
Ujjain was once the largest city and capital of Malwa district. Ujjain`s ancient name was Avantika. According to tradition Lord Shiva defeated the demon king Tripurasura and renamed the city as Ujjainyini. Ujjain is an old city located in Madhya Pradesh. This place is known for its linga of light called Mahakala Shiva.
Dwaraka is located on the coast of Saurashtra Peninsula of Gujarat. It is considered that Lord Krishna had migrated from Mathura to Dwaraka. Initially the city was established on the banks of Gomti River. However it was deepened by floods which led to its submergence eventually.
