The birthplace of Lord Ram and the setting of the epic Ramayana is a key pilgrimage site with the famous Ram Temple and has historical connections to Gautama Buddha and Mahavira
Mathura
Celebrated as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, hosts the Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex and is part of the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme
Haridwar
Located on the Ganges river in Uttarakhand, is famous for Har ki Pauri and is one of the four sites where drops of amrita fell during the Samudra Manthana, making it a crucial site for the Kumbh Mela
Varanasi
One of the oldest cities in the world, holds a central place in Hindu pilgrimage and mourning practices, with significant ghats like Dashashwamedh and Manikarnika offering liberation upon cremation
Kanchipuram
Located in Tamil Nadu, known as the City of Thousand Temples, is a major pilgrimage destination according to Vaishnavism Hindu theology and is significant to multiple Hindu traditions
Ujjain
Anciently known as Ujjayini or Avantika in Madhya Pradesh, hosts the Kumbh Mela every 12 years and is home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, revered in Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism
Dwarka
Mentioned in the Mahabharata, is significant for its Dwarkadhish Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and is part of the Chardham, a set of four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites
Concept of Moksha
Moksha in Hinduism is closely associated with pilgrimage to these holy sites, as they are believed to be endowed with special spiritual powers