Known For : Triveni Ghat Rafting in Rishikesh Lakshman Jhula
Situated along the convergence of Ganga and Chandrabhaga, Rishikesh on the foothills of Himalayas is the hub of many ancient temples, popular cafes, yoga ashrams and adventure sports.
Rishikesh is the most beautiful blend of spiritual and adrenaline pumping experiences. With Whitewater Rafting industry growing and a number of camping and cafe spots springing up, Rishikesh has grown immensely as a favourite, catering to people with different needs.
Distance from Delhi: 223 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Har Ki Pauri Maa Mansa Devi Temple Ganga Aarti Sthal
No spiritual journey can ever be considered complete without a visit to Haridwar, one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Literally meaning 'the abode of Lord Vishnu', Haridwar, located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, is a land of legends and myths. Considered as one of the seven holiest cities in India, Haridwar sees millions of people flock to it every year to pay their respects to the Lord, or to wash away their sins. However, with the passage of time, Haridwar has evolved from being a mere religious city to a multifaceted cultural and spiritual centre, and only after exploring Haridwar will you realize that there is a lot more to the city than just visiting temples and taking a dip in the holy Har ki Pauri. Haridwar has a perennial mystical air around i, and is the perfect holiday option for anyone seeking spiritual connection as well as a chance to indulge in and get closer to nature.
Distance from Delhi: 204 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Golden Temple Jallianwala Bagh Partition Museum
Home of the glorious Golden Temple, the iconic city of Amritsar, portrays the heroic character of the Punjab. A day in this peaceful city starts with the spiritual prayers from Gurudwaras. The original name of first the ancient lake, then of the temple complex, and later the surrounding city, meaning "pool of ambrosial nectar."
Distance from Delhi: 455 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Pushkar Lake Brahma Temple Savitri Temple
Pushkar, the city often referred to as the ‘rose garden of Rajasthan’ is a city of culture and intellect. Nothing can describe this iconic city better than a sought-after destination that provides the essence of Pushkar roses, the charm of culturally vibrant atmosphere and the dynamic festivities make it one hot cultural spot. The west wind of Pushkar gives an easygoing vibe of Westwood lifestyle in the hot sandstone town. The home of the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the world, it is one of the ultimate pilgrimages for Hindus to attain divine spiritual bliss. A place of holy spirit for Hindus, ample ghats are flooded with devotees, closing eyes in the serenity of chants coming from temples around. A soothing and calm place with the glitter of spirituality makes Pushkar a must visit.
Distance from Delhi: 410 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Kedarnath Temple Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi Sonprayag
Atop 3584 mts, this is one of the Char Dhams and one of the busiest pilgrim centres in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is believed that in order to evade the Pandavas, Lord Shiva hid himself in the form of a bull at Kedarnath, and when found by the Pandavas, he went further into the earth leaving the hump on the surface.
Best Time: May to June, September to October
Known For : Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple Dwarkadheesh Temple, Mathura Birla Mandir Mathura
India is a country of immense diversity in all fields of life, starting from religious to cultural to historical. Religion has been deeply ingrained into the Indian lifestyle for as far as one can remember, which is why India abounds in cities and towns all across the country which are devoted to fulfilling spiritual desires of people who come to visit these places from far and wide. Mathura is one such place which is considered one of the most sacred lands of India, and is filled to the brim at any point of the year with people looking to pursue spiritual enlightenment. Located around 150 kilometres from Delhi, Mathura is known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna and has many sites of both historical and religious significance.
Distance from Delhi: 164 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Mussoorie Tehri Dam Trekking in Tehri Garhwal
The Hindu Mythology and legends seemed to have showered Tehri Garhwal with several spiritual significances. It is this place where River Ganga arrives in its real form at Devprayag where River Bhagirathi and River Alaknanda merge. One can also see many temples dotted across the place.
Distance from Delhi: 305 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Dodital Lake Nachiketa Lake Dodital Dayara Pass Trek
Endearingly called as Devbhoomi, Uttarkashi, literally meaning 'Kashi of the North', is a quaint little town tucked away in the hill state of Uttarakhand. Revered by the Hindus as one of their propitious religious sites, the townhouses two of the total four holy shrines of Hindu mythology. It is one of the most visited cities of religious relevance in the area and gives you a sense of heightened divinity and an out of the world experience. The region was more in the favour of religious tourism initially but lately the spurring of trekking and adventure activities invites a lot of non religion tourists as well. Replete with ashrams and mandir, the town has got a spiritual vibe to it. All in all, the entire place boasts of divine heritage, mesmerising natural beauty, scenic panoramas and a wonderful irenic atmosphere.
Distance from Delhi: 385 km
Best Time: March to June, September to November
Known For : Sitla Chauli ki Jaali Mukteshwar Dham Temple
Mukteshwar is a small hill town mostly known for adventure sports such as rock climbing, rappelling etc. and the amazing view of Himalayan ranges you get from there.
Distance from Delhi: 332 km
Best Time: October to June
Known For : Ajmer Sharif Dargah Ana Sagar Lake Adhai Din ka Jhopra
Surrounded by Aravali ranges, the city of Ajmer is most famous for its Dargah Sharif of saint Muin-ud-din Chishti. Firmly bound by its traditions and culture, Ajmer has a unique charm which lies in the ethos and craftsmanship practised over centuries. Visit Ajmer to witness the exquisite Mughal architecture set in an aura of peace and spirituality.
Distance from Delhi: 396 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Vishwanath Temple, Guptakashi Manikarnik Kund Ardhanarishwar Temple
The temple town of Guptakashi is located at a distance of 47 kms from the holy town of Kedarnath. Perched at an elevation of 1319 m above the sea level, Guptakashi enjoys the mesmerising backdrop of the enchanting snow-covered peaks of Chaukhamba mountains.
It houses two ancient temples namely Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ardhnareshwar Temple. Manikarnika Kund is another popular destination in the town. In fact, Guptkashi serves as a perfect stopover for those travelling to Kedarnath. The fantastic weather, lush green forests and captivating views of Chaukhmaba Range along with its rich past and heritage, the town is a wholesome package for vacation makers.
Distance from Delhi: 411 km
Best Time: March to June, September to November
Known For : Dalai Lama Temple St. John in the Wilderness Church Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
Dharamsala is famed as the holy residence of the Dalai Lama and houses the Tibetan monk in exile. Dharamsala is located in Kangra district at a distance of 18km fro Kangra City. The city is distinctively separated as upper and lower divisions with different altitudes. The lower division is the Dharamsala town itself whereas the upper division is popularly known as Mcleodganj.
Distance from Delhi: 481 km
Best Time: October to June
Known For : Banke Bihari Mandir Prem Mandir Radha Raman Temple
One of the oldest cities on the banks of Yamuna, Vrindavan is considered to be one of the most important places of pilgrimage for the devotees of Krishna. It is said that Lord Krishna had spent his childhood in Vrindavan. The name of the city has been derived from Vrinda (meaning basil) and van (meaning grove) which perhaps refer to the two small groves at Nidhivan and Seva Kunj. Since Vrindavan is considered to be a sacred place, a large number of people come here to abandon their worldly life.
Distance from Delhi: 158 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Raghunathji Temple Chandrabadani Temple
Marked by the confluence point of rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, Devprayag is a religious hub and is quite popular among tourists coming for pilgrimage or seeking some solitude close to nature.
Distance from Delhi: 302 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Augustmuni Koteshwar Mahadev temple Ukhimath
Lying at the confluence of River Alaknanda and River Mandakini, Rudraprayag is a sacred place regarded as one of the Panch Prayags and place of great religious significance. Settled in Uttarakhand, this beautiful town is full of mysterious charm and the spiritual vibes that will calm your senses.
Distance from Delhi: 369 km
Best Time: April to December
Known For : Ropeway Ghangaria Nanda Devi National Park
Joshimath is a quaint hill town nestled amid the lap of snow-capped Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand. This valley is mesmerizingly beautiful surrounded on all sides by picturesque views. If a good trekking trail is your calling, the Valley of Flowers Trek is close to Joshimath.
Distance from Delhi: 482 km
Best Time: April to November
Known For : Mahamrityunjaya Temple Jageshwar Mahadev Temple Archaeological Museum, Jageshwar
Jageshwar, is a small town in Uttarakhand is like a town carved exquisitely for temples. The biggest temple out of the lot of the 124 temples here, is the one that is the most visited, the Jageshwar Mahadev Temple is situated on the Jataganga Valley.
Distance from Delhi: 383 km
Best Time: April to June, September to November
One of the holiest lands in Uttarakhand, Gaumukh is thronged by devotees mainly for its serenity and pious mythological history. Gaumukh is not exactly a tourist town or city, but a glacial trekking destination located within Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
Best Time: February to September
Known For : Tungnath Temple Chandrashila Deoria Tal
If spirituality is on your mind and on your itinerary as well, Tungnath is just your kind of place. It is an ancient holy town more than 1000 years old and is popular among pilgrims and devotees. It comprises of Alaknanda and Mandakini river valleys or 'Lord of Peaks' as they are referred to.
Distance from Delhi: 440 km
Best Time: April to November
Known For : Wildlife Sanctuary Ashtapad Jambudweep Jain Tirth
Hastinapur is an ancient town which was the centre to the glorious tales of the epic Mahabharata. Situated on the banks of Ganga near Meerut in UP, Hastinapur is also the birth place of three Jain Teerthankara, and it has become an important centre of pilgrimage for the Jains.
Distance from Delhi: 111 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Madhyamaheshwar Temple Kanchani Tal Budha Madhyamaheshwar
A small sacred town of Madhyamaheshwar is a place full of mysteries and blessed with bounty of nature. Renowned for its Madhyamaheshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, it gathers the whole hamlet to pray in the evening along with many tourists.
Best Time: May to October
Religious places near Delhi are very famous for the devoted crowd they attract throughout the year. Which place has caught your attention?