Most Visited Spiritual Places in India This Winter

India, the seventh-largest country in the world, is known for its diverse cultures and traditions across different states.

Holding a rich history of 5000 years, it depicts ancient civilisations and empires that shaped the country.

With a population of 1.46 billion, India ranks as the second-most-populated country in the world. Besides history, it is also known for its spiritual heritage.

There are many spiritual places in India marking the visits of countless devotees from all over.

Today, we bring you a list of the most wanted spiritual places in India that have always remained popular among devotees.

India's Top Spiritual Destinations: Most-Visited Holy Heritages

Paying a visit to India’s spiritual heritages gives a respite from the chaos of life. It lets you connect your soul with the divine and experience mental peace.

With a long list of holy places across different regions, here are the most-visited spiritual retreats.

Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai

According to Hindu scriptures and beliefs, Lord Ganesha is the foremost deity worshipped to mark the beginning of a new venture. Among many temples dedicated to him is the much popular Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai.

Built in 1801, the temple houses an iconic idol of Ganesha with a right-facing trunk and attracts a million devotees annually.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

Next on the list is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. It is one of the top spiritual destinations in India visited by the maximum devotees. Standing on the banks of the Ganges, this temple houses the twelve Jyotirlingas and has remained a significant spiritual place for centuries.

One of the striking features of this temple is its unique gold-plated spire, which captivates visitors’ attention. Devotees regard it as a place to achieve moksha (spiritual liberation).

Vaishno Devi, Jammu & Kashmir

Vaishno Devi is one of the famous pilgrimage places in Jammu & Kashmir, India. Located in the Trikuta Mountains, it is positioned at 5,200 feet. As the name suggests, the sacred site is dedicated to Maa Vaishno (Maa Durga).

It takes around 13 kilometres of trekking from Katra to reach the holy cave temple. The shrine features natural rock formations, also called pindies. They are symbols of the goddess and are highly revered by devotees.

Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha

Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, is a famous spiritual place in India. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna, the eighth form of Lord Vishnu. Here he is worshipped along with Balrama and Subhadra. The temple organises a Rath Yatra (chariot festival) annually.

During this event, millions of devotees gather to pull the massive wooden chariots on the streets. Jagannath Temple is among the Char Dham Yatra.

Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh

Ayodhya Temple has become more famous ever since it gained worldwide attention with the sanctification of the Ram Mandir in 2024.

It features a beautiful black stone idol of Ram Lalla. It is the birthplace of Lord Ram and is among the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri). Besides common people, many celebrities also visit this holy shrine.

Shirdi, Maharashtra

Shirdi in Maharashtra is dedicated to the holy saint Sai Baba. Based on Hemadpant’s written Shri Sai Satcharitra, a temple priest, Malsapati, named him ‘Sai’ after he acknowledged the divine power that let him utter the words ‘Aao Sai’.

The temple houses a museum of Sai Baba’s belongings. From a simple village before, Shirdi is now a major pilgrimage centre with contemporary facilities, welcoming devotees from across the world.

Khatu Shyam, Rajasthan

Khatu Shyam is located in Rajasthan’s Sikar district, in the village of Khatu. This is one of the popular spiritual places in India. The place is dedicated to Barbarik, son of Bhima and Hadimba from the Mahabharat era. He had the unusual power to change the course of war with his three mystical arrows. On knowing it, Lord Krishna asked for his head as dakshina. To which he followed and sliced his head.

Krishna honoured his sacrifice and placed his head atop the hill, allowing him to witness the entire Mahabharata war.

He is called ‘Haare Ka Sahaara’, which means he stands by those who are weak and are on the verge of defeat.

This troubled Krishna, as he could swiftly end the war by constantly changing sides. The holy shrine houses a black stone idol of Khatu Shyam Ji, who blesses his devotees.

Golden Temple, Punjab

The Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, is a popular holy shrine for the Sikhs. Built in the 16th century by Guru Arjan Dev, the temple’s stunning dome and marble structure appear amazing in the centre of the sacred pool (Amrit Sarovar).

It stands for equality, and spiritual purity serves 10,ooo meals daily to devotees. Beyond Sikhs, people from other faiths also visit this temple.

Tirupati Balaji, Andhra Pradesh

Tirupati Balaji in Andhra Pradesh is a famous and wealthy temple dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara.

Located in Tirumala Hills, it attracts millions of devotees annually who visit for the deity’s darshan.

Renowned for rich traditions, the custom of offering hair is a practice to remove ego. When you visit the temple, you will get Tirupati Laddu prasadam, which is very popular here.

Neem Karoli Baba Ashram, Uttarakhand

Neem Karoli Baba Ashram, Kainchi Dham, is a revered holy site in Uttarakhand. The place is named after Neem Karoli Baba, a saint in the 1960s.

Apart from common people, many prominent figures, such as Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs, have visited this place.

The ashram attracts devotees for its pristine environment. Be a part of its annual Bhandara celebrations in June and September.

Haridwar, Uttarakhand

When listing India’s popular sacred places. Haridwar in Uttarakhand cannot be overlooked. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, it often becomes crowded with devotees.

It is famous for the Ganga aarti at Har Ki Paudi. It is one of the religious sites for the famous Kumbh Mela, which occurs once every 12 years.

Dipping in the Ganges and immersing ashes here is considered auspicious per the Hindu belief.

Shani Shingnapur, Maharashtra

Last on the list is Shani Shingnapur. A strange holy shrine dedicated to Lord Shani (Saturn). Such is the faith in the deity that people don't find the need to lock their houses.

Even the banks here are unlocked. The open temple features a black stone (shila) that is believed to be Shani Dev himself.

Devotees come here and perform the ritual of offering mustard oil, black sesame seeds, black gram, and black cloth to the deity. It says that doing this removes them from the malefic effects of Saturn.

FAQ

Q: What are the most visited spiritual places in India?

A: Vaishno Devi, Shirdi, Siddhivinayak, Shani Shingnapur, Ayodhya, Jagannath, are some of the most-visited sacred places in India.

Q: Which spiritual destinations in India attract the most tourists every year?

A: There is no particular spiritual destination in India which competes with other holy places. Every sacred place has its own speciality, which attracts visitors from distant places.

Q: What is the best time to visit popular spiritual places in India?

A: September to November (post Monsoon) and October to March (winter) are the best times to visit spiritual places in India. It is suggested to avoid visiting during the summers (April & June).

For the latest spiritual facts, log on to Flypped (English).