spiritual

India is an abode of numerous religions and diverse cultures, spiritual practices, rituals and divine centres that date back to centuries. It is home to a plethora of spiritual and religious retreats and spots like temples, mosques, churches, Ashrams (hermitage/monasteries) etc. Spending time at these places help people attain complete peace of mind and soul, do deep thinking, connect with their inner selves, realize the purpose their life or find solution to their problems.

Today’s world in which we live is filled with commotion and people deal with a range of emotions and moods in the span of a day - work, deadlines, stress, guilt, competition, failures, hopelessness, jealousy, hatred, - and sometimes it can exhaust our mind – which does have a limit to how much it can take. Add to this, the information fed to us through media, T.V, internet…and most of us feel like our heads could explode anytime. At such times, one of the best gifts we can give ourselves is a spiritual escape, which helps us get a little break from these and replenish our minds.

India is duly said to be the ideal destination for holistic spiritual experiences by people across the world, and many often visit this country for the incredible spiritual experiences it offers, to get the much-needed respite from mental and emotional disturbances and discomfort.

Some of the best spiritual experiences to have in India are:

• Spend time at Ashrams or Monasteries: These are pilgrimages that offer a restorative stay with experiences close to nature – like sleeping on the floor, eating the freshest and nutritious foods, and living in utmost clean accommodations, immerse in practices like meditation.
• Visit temples: There are various popular temples in Northern part of India which are popular and hugely visited, like Golden Temple (Amritsar), Vaishno Devi Temple (Kashmir), etc. and there are many in the south of India too, like Murudeshwara temple, Balaji Temple (Tirupati – the richest temple in India), Meenakshi Temple (Madurai), Thousand Pillar Temple (Warangal), etc.

South Indian temples are different from North Indian temples, with respect to language, rituals, clothing, offerings, and other practices. These are mostly crowded, but give a pleasurable and divine experience.

• Visit other popular religious and divine spots: Islam and Christianity are the second and third largest religions in India, as a result of which the country has many incredible mosques (Jama Masjid, Delhi and Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad being the most popular) and churches (like St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata and Santa Cruz Basilica, Kochi).

Sikkhism and Jainism are also not far behind – and so many gurudwaras and Jain temples also exist here such as – Ranakpur Jain Temple (Rajasthan), Sonagiri Temples (Madhya Pradesh), Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (New Delhi), Gurudwara Baba Atal Sahib (Punjab), and many more. Apart from these there are many Persian (Fire) temples as well as Synagogues, and people can visit any of these centres irrespective of their religion. All of these offer a peaceful and divine vibe that soothes the soul.

• Visit Varanasi: Located on the banks of the holy River Ganges, Varanasi is the biggest religious and spiritual centre in India. This is an ancient city in Uttar Pradesh also goes by names Banaras or Kashi.

The grand aarti (pooja) held near the River Ganges every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat (steps leading to the river bank) is one of the most popular divine experiences in the country, and a sight to behold.

Countless number of people visit this place every year – in fact, many dying people come here to live the last days of their lives and attain spirituality. There are even special lodges that are said to accommodate such people here.

• Yoga and Ayurveda: India is also the land where several ancient spiritual and healthy practices such Yoga (a health practice that includes perfecting postures that promote healthy immune system, digestive system, heart, body and mind) and Ayurveda (herbal medicine) originated, and authentic experiences of these can also be enjoyed across many centres and ashrams in the nation.

Going through (some or any of) these ethereal experiences in the spiritual hub that is India can soothe anyone who is feeling empty on the inside, or going through incessant feelings of anxiety or depression in spite of attaining successes in life, and nourish and nurture their souls, after which it can be delightful to get back to life!

Come Experience Divine Spirituality in India.