Ancient pilgrimage routes of India hold great spiritual and historical significance, connecting various holy places across the country. These routes have been followed for centuries by devotees seeking divine blessings, enlightenment, and inner peace. Here are some of the most prominent ancient pilgrimage routes of India:
1. Char Dham Yatra
- Location: Uttarakhand
- Significance: The Char Dham Yatra is one of the most revered pilgrimage circuits in India, covering four holy shrines: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. These shrines are located in the Himalayas and are believed to provide moksha (liberation) to devotees.
- Route: The journey typically starts from Haridwar or Rishikesh, covering the four sacred temples, with devotees trekking through steep mountain paths and serene landscapes.
2. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
- Location: Tibet (via Uttarakhand or Nepal)
- Significance: Mount Kailash is considered the abode of Lord Shiva, and Lake Mansarovar is a sacred water body. Devotees believe that circumambulating Mount Kailash brings spiritual merit.
- Route: There are two main routes to reach Kailash Mansarovar: one through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and another through Nepal. The yatra is challenging due to the high altitude and harsh weather conditions.
3. Pancha Kedar Yatra
- Location: Uttarakhand
- Significance: The Pancha Kedar pilgrimage covers five sacred Shiva temples – Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar. According to legend, these temples were built to honor different parts of Lord Shiva.
- Route: Pilgrims trek through the rugged terrains of the Garhwal Himalayas to visit these temples, experiencing both physical and spiritual endurance.
4. Saptpuri Yatra
- Location: Across India
- Significance: The Saptpuri are the seven holy cities believed to grant moksha: Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Varanasi, Kanchipuram, Ujjain, and Dwarka. Each city is associated with a particular deity and holds a significant place in Hindu mythology.
- Route: Devotees undertake journeys to these cities individually or in a circuit, visiting sacred temples and ghats.
5. Pandharpur Yatra
- Location: Maharashtra
- Significance: The Pandharpur Yatra is a famous pilgrimage to the Vithoba Temple in Pandharpur. Devotees, known as Varkaris, walk hundreds of kilometers from across Maharashtra and surrounding states to reach the temple.
- Route: The journey to Pandharpur takes place in the Hindu months of Ashadha and Kartik, with pilgrims chanting devotional songs and hymns as they walk barefoot.
6. Amarnath Yatra
- Location: Jammu & Kashmir
- Significance: Amarnath Cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva, where a naturally formed ice Shivling is worshipped. The cave holds immense religious importance, and the yatra is considered one of the most difficult pilgrimages due to the high altitude.
- Route: The traditional route to Amarnath starts from Pahalgam, and pilgrims trek through steep mountains to reach the cave.
7. Narmada Parikrama
- Location: Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat
- Significance: The Narmada River is considered one of the most sacred rivers in India, and the parikrama (circumambulation) of the river is believed to cleanse the soul and bring divine blessings.
- Route: The pilgrimage involves walking along the banks of the Narmada River, covering a distance of approximately 2,600 kilometers over several months.
8. Bodh Gaya Pilgrimage
- Location: Bihar
- Significance: Bodh Gaya is one of the holiest places in Buddhism, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Pilgrims from across the world visit the Mahabodhi Temple and other Buddhist sites in the region.
- Route: Bodh Gaya is part of the Buddhist circuit, which also includes Sarnath, Kushinagar, and Lumbini (Nepal).
9. Rameshwaram Yatra
- Location: Tamil Nadu
- Significance: Rameshwaram is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and is associated with Lord Rama. The Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is believed that Lord Rama worshipped Shiva here to absolve himself of the sin of killing Ravana.
- Route: Pilgrims travel to Rameshwaram, often bathing in the sacred waters of the 22 holy wells before visiting the temple.
10. Vaishno Devi Yatra
- Location: Jammu & Kashmir
- Significance: The Vaishno Devi shrine is dedicated to the goddess Vaishno Devi, a manifestation of the goddess Shakti. The yatra is one of the most popular pilgrimages in India, attracting millions of devotees every year.
- Route: The journey begins from Katra, where pilgrims trek 13 kilometers uphill to reach the cave temple.
These ancient pilgrimage routes reflect the deep-rooted spiritual traditions of India and continue to be undertaken by millions of devotees every year.
There are many more ancient pilgrimage routes in India that have shaped the country’s spiritual landscape. Here’s an expanded list with more examples:
11. Kashi Yatra (Varanasi)
- Location: Uttar Pradesh
- Significance: Kashi (Varanasi) is one of the oldest living cities and a major spiritual hub for Hindus. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Pilgrims come to bathe in the Ganga at the ghats of Varanasi and perform rituals for moksha (liberation).
- Route: Pilgrims often visit nearby holy places like Sarnath and Prayagraj (Allahabad) as part of their journey.
12. Panch Prayag Yatra
- Location: Uttarakhand
- Significance: The Panch Prayag refers to the five sacred river confluences of the Alaknanda River in the Garhwal Himalayas – Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag, and Vishnuprayag. Each prayag is believed to hold unique spiritual powers, and visiting all five is considered a highly auspicious pilgrimage.
- Route: The journey takes pilgrims through the rugged yet scenic Garhwal region, following the path of the holy rivers.
13. Dwarka Yatra
- Location: Gujarat
- Significance: Dwarka is one of the four sacred Char Dhams and is associated with Lord Krishna. The Dwarkadhish Temple attracts millions of devotees who believe visiting this temple grants spiritual merit.
- Route: Many pilgrims also visit Bet Dwarka, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, and other sacred sites along the route.
14. Shikharji Yatra
- Location: Jharkhand
- Significance: Shikharji is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Jains, as it is believed to be the place where twenty of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras attained moksha. The pilgrimage to the Parasnath Hill is considered a holy act for the Jain community.
- Route: The yatra involves a steep trek up the Parasnath Hill to visit the shrines of the Tirthankaras.
15. Sabarimala Pilgrimage
- Location: Kerala
- Significance: Sabarimala is one of the most prominent pilgrimage destinations in southern India. The Sabarimala Temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, and the pilgrimage season, known as Mandala Kalam, sees millions of devotees traveling through dense forests to reach the temple.
- Route: Pilgrims observe a strict 41-day penance and fasting period before embarking on the arduous journey through the Periyar Tiger Reserve to reach the temple.
16. Navagraha Yatra
- Location: Tamil Nadu
- Significance: The Navagraha temples are a cluster of nine temples dedicated to the nine planetary deities in Hindu astrology. The yatra is believed to mitigate planetary doshas (ill effects) in one’s life, with each temple corresponding to a specific celestial body.
- Route: These temples are located in and around Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, and the pilgrimage involves visiting all nine temples.
17. Puri Jagannath Yatra
- Location: Odisha
- Significance: The Jagannath Temple in Puri is one of the four sacred Char Dham sites. The Rath Yatra, or Chariot Festival, attracts millions of pilgrims who pull the massive chariots of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balabhadra.
- Route: Pilgrims travel to Puri, often visiting nearby Konark Sun Temple and Chilika Lake as part of the yatra.
18. Kamakhya Yatra
- Location: Assam
- Significance: The Kamakhya Temple, located atop Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, is one of the most important Shakti Peethas in India. The Ambubachi Mela, celebrated at the temple, draws devotees seeking the blessings of the goddess Kamakhya, who is considered a powerful manifestation of Shakti.
- Route: The pilgrimage involves visiting Kamakhya and other Shakti Peethas across northeast India.
19. Vaishali Pilgrimage
- Location: Bihar
- Significance: Vaishali holds great importance for both Buddhists and Jains. It was at Vaishali that Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon, and it is also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara. The Ashokan pillar in Vaishali stands as a testament to its rich history.
- Route: Pilgrims often combine visits to Vaishali with other Buddhist sites such as Rajgir, Nalanda, and Bodh Gaya.
20. Adi Kailash Yatra
- Location: Uttarakhand
- Significance: Also known as Chhota Kailash, Adi Kailash is revered as the earthly abode of Lord Shiva. This pilgrimage is for those who are unable to visit Mount Kailash in Tibet. The journey offers a spiritual experience similar to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, without crossing international borders.
- Route: The pilgrimage takes trekkers through the scenic regions of Kumaon, passing through the villages of Dharchula and Narayan Ashram.
21. Gangasagar Yatra
- Location: West Bengal
- Significance: Gangasagar, located at the confluence of the Ganges River and the Bay of Bengal, is a major pilgrimage destination. Bathing in the waters at Gangasagar is believed to purify the soul and absolve sins. The Gangasagar Mela, held during Makar Sankranti, attracts pilgrims from all over the country.
- Route: Pilgrims travel from Kolkata to Sagar Island, often visiting the famous Dakshineswar and Kalighat temples on the way.
22. Panch Bhoota Sthalas Pilgrimage
- Location: Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
- Significance: The Panch Bhoota Sthalas are five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, each representing one of the five elements – earth, water, fire, air, and ether. The temples are located in Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai, Chidambaram, Srikalahasti, and Thiruvanaikaval.
- Route: Pilgrims visit each temple in the order of the elements, performing rituals that honor the universal forces.
23. Sri Pada Pilgrimage (Adam’s Peak)
- Location: Sri Lanka
- Significance: Sri Pada, or Adam’s Peak, is a pilgrimage site revered by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. The peak is believed to bear the footprint of Lord Buddha, Lord Shiva, or Adam, depending on the religious belief.
- Route: The pilgrimage involves a steep trek to the top of the mountain, where devotees pray at the footprint shrine.
24. Sabari Yatra (Tirupati)
- Location: Andhra Pradesh
- Significance: Tirupati is home to the famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, one of the richest and most visited pilgrimage sites in India. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his form as Venkateswara.
- Route: The journey to the Tirupati temple involves climbing the seven hills of Tirumala, a symbolic act of devotion and penance.
These ancient pilgrimage routes form an intricate network of faith across India, binding the country’s diverse religious traditions and cultural landscapes. They continue to inspire spiritual quests and represent the living traditions of devotion and endurance.
