They say salvation is a virtual concept. It depends on the kind of karma every individual believes in. but at India, the road to salvation means much more than a relative perception. With thousands of pilgrimage spots in this vast land, India proves to be the final destination to measure ones karma and the spiritual identity. A land where the Gods lived and loved passionately centuries ago will definitely take you to a new level. As the sun rises over a holy river or the sea, the air echoes to the pilgrims' chant of mantra. Discover the ancient roots of religion in these age-old cities where religion is more than an act of worship: it is a way of life.

At Prayag (the holy city of Allahabad), take a dip at the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers while Varanasi is a city that sings our prayers to Lord Shiva. From the tumultuous sea of Puri and Konark, the pilgrims curve their way to the Jagannath Temple and the exquisite Sun Temple. Embark on an Indian pilgrimage discover yourself and the peace deep within you. Follow the temple trail of the Kanchipuram - Madurai - Tiruchirapalli - Kanniyakumari circuit and discover some of the notable examples of temple art and architecture. Discover the worship of the Almighty, through craftsmanship, at Belur and Halebid, Aihole, Hampi and Pattadakal.

Every year on SHRAVAN PURNIMA, thousands of devotees visit AMARNATH caves to worship Baba Pashupatinath i.e. Lord Shiva to see the self created Shivlingam on the foothills of the great Himalayas. The Amarnath Cave was discovered by a muslim shepherd boy named Buta Malik. One day, while grazing his cattle in the mountains of Himalayas, he met a monk. The monk gave him a bowl full of coal. When he returned home, the coal was converted into gold. He was surprised and returned back to that monk; all he saw he saw was a holy cave. From that day onwards, the cave became a place of pilgrimage.

The famous AMARNATH cave is situated at the height of 12,729 feet from sea level and is about 90 miles away from Srinagar. The length, width, height of this nature created cave is 60, 30 & 15 feet respectively. Inside the cave, the holy ice-lingam is situated on a natural platform of ice. This ice-lingam reaches a height of about 8 meters from Amvasya to Purnima. The height of Shivlingam recedes after Purnima but never disappears fully. Devotees believe that on Purnima, it reaches its maximum height that is why Pilgrims visit the Amarnath cave on Purnima. On the ice gate of Amarnath Cave, two ice platforms for God Ganesha & Goddess Parvati are also created. It is believed that water from Shri Ramkund (Pond) which is situated above the cave falls drop by drop on the holy Shivlingam. Down the cave, a river named Amravati flows, devotees first take bath in it before visiting the cave.

The journey starts with a holy stick which is called "SHREE CHADI MUBARAK". The head monk of DESHNAMI AKHARA OF SHRINAGAR for 1008 Paramhanse Krishnanand Sarswati starts the 143 k.m. long journey with hundreds of monks. Pahalgam is one major point for these pilgrimage.Government guesthouses and hotels are available here for stay. The necessary items for a journey are available on rent. It is necessary for a Pilgrim to take woollen clothes, raincoat, umbrella, stick, torch, candle, polythene bag, thermos etc. Food is available on the way to Amarnath Cave at different places but it is better to take some light food with oneself.

The distance is 13 km. In the beginning, the route is parallel to the Lidder River. Then, you reach the Pissu top. After crossing the Pissu top, pilgrim's reach Shesh Nag which is situated at the height of 1200 feet. Here, pilgrims rest in tents and after taking bath in cold water, they again start their journey. From Shesh Nag, the second phase of journey starts towards PANCHATARANI which is 13 k.m away. On the way, pilgrims cross the PanchGunas Mountain which is 14,500 feet in height. After crossing this mountain, people reach Panchtarani which is a meeting point of 5 rivers. After taking the bath, the devotees move towards the Amarnath Caves which is just 6 k.m away. Panchtarani is the last stop before the caves. The cave is open from 1st week of July till the end of Aug.

The murky top of the grand Himalayas that adorn the magnificent state of Uttaranchal, offers a invigorating spiritual experience for the devout.

Nestled in the lofty peaks are the four most holy pilgrimages of India -Yamunotri, Gangotri, Sri Kedarnathji and Sri Badrinathji, collectively referred to as the Char Dham ( or four pilgrimage centres) of Hinduism.

If the scriptures of Hinhu religion are to be believed, these four holy centers are the most sacred of all pilgrimages. Undertaking a journey to these places will not just replenish your soul but ensure salvation to your mind.

The journey from Kedarnath culminating at Badrinath follows the Hindu tradition of parikrama or clockwise circumambulation. Kedarnath One of the 12 jyotirlings of Lord Shiv, Kedarnath is amongst the premier pilgrimages in the country. The present temple, in which unlike other Shiv temples, the deity is roughly a conical rock signifying the hump of Lord Shiv as he tried to escape disguised as a bull, is credited to Adi Shankracharya, the 8th century AD sage and religious reformer. Kedarnath, at the mouth of Mandakini river, is one of the most scenically located pilgrimage. The valley, about 2km long and ½ km wide, is like an amphitheatre surrounded by high snow-covered mountains. At the approach of winters in the month of November, the holy statue of Lord Shiva, is carried down from Garhwal (Kedarkhand) to Ukhimath, and is reinstated at Kedarnath, in the first week of May. It is at this time, that the doors of the temple are thrown open to pilgrims from all parts of India. What to see:

Kedarnath Temple: Standing in the middle of a wide plateau surrounded by lofty snow-covered peaks, Kedarnath temple makes an imposing sight. The present temple, built in the 8th century AD by Adi Shankaracharya, stands adjacent to the site of an earlier temple built, as the legend goes, by the Pandavas. Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya : Behind Kedarnath temple is the samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya.

Bhairav Nath Temple: To the south of the main temple on a hillock stands the temple of Bhairav, the deity who guards the Kedarnath temple in winter, when it is closed for worship.

How to reach there: Kedarnath is a 15km trek from Gauri Kund, which is connected via road from Haridwar and Rishikesh. From Gauri Kund you can go up on ponies, or you can even trek the journey.

Where to stay: Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) Tourist Bungalow, Modi Bhavan, behind the temple. Punjab Sindh, next to the Post office.

Located on the right bank of river Alaknanda, Badrinath is a shrine that evokes the most intense religious feelings. When Ganga was requested to descend on earth to help the suffering humanity, the earth could not withstand the force of her descent. Therefore, the mighty Ganga split into 12 channels, each of these holy as the Mother. The Alaknanda is one of those constituents. An abode of seers, saints and yogis from time immemorial, Badrinath is one of the four Dhams, was founded by Shri Shankaracharya, who was considered to be a Hindu saint and reformist. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is said to have done penance in the mythical Brindavan, that once covered the mountains of Uttarkhand. A devout Hindu has to visit this place in his lifetime to attain salvation.

Known as 'Tapobhumi', a land of meditation and penance, and 'Bhubaikunth', heaven on earth, it is surrounded on either side, by two mountain ranges known as Nar and Narayan, with the Neelkanth peak, providing a spectacular backdrop. Facing the Badrinath temple, is a hot water spring, known as ' Tapt Kund' . Other famous springs, here, are the Narad Kund and the Surya Kund. You can visit Kedarnath during the months of May to October after which it is closed during the winter. What to see Apart from the considerable natural beauty,
Badrinath main attractions are : Temple of Sri Badrinathji : Legends dates it back to the vedic age. The present temple is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya in 8th century, who also established a math here.

Tapta Kund, Surya Kund, Narad Kund : These are all natural thermal springs on the bank of the Alaknanda.

Mata Murti Temple : Is devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinathji.

Where to Stay: Modi Bhavan and Gujarat Bhavan, next to the temple on the west bank, Kale Kambli Wale's Ashram behind the temple, are the available means of accomodation.
How to reach there: You can reach Badrinath via road from Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun. The nearest railway stations are Haridwar and Dehradun. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant near Rishikesh with Vayudoot flights from Delhi.

When in answer to the prayers of King Bhagirath, Ganga descended on earth; Lord Shiva received her into his matted locks to break the great force of her falls. From there Ganga emerged in many streams, that which originated from Gangotri was called Bhagirathi. According to the mythology, Lord Shiva resided here and Goddess Parvati would bathe in the waters of the Ganga every day before it touched the ground. The source of the Ganga, the Gangotri glacier, has now shifted 19km further up the valley and traces of its passage are still visible. The Gangotri temple is open for worship from May till October. During winter due to the snow, the temple is closed.

What to see

Temple of Gangotri : According to mythology Raja Bhagirath used to worship Lord Shiva or Mahadev at the sacred stone near which the temple is located.
Submerged Shivling : A natural rock Shivling, submerged in the river, where according to legend, Lord Shiva sat when he received Ganga in his matted locks, is visible in winter months when the sediment content in the Ganga water is the least.

Gomukh : This is 19km up from Gangotri, this is the snout of the Gangotri glacier and the present source of the Bhagirathi. The distance can be covered on foot or on ponies.
Where to stay: There are several ashrams here, and hovels that pass off as hotels, so accommodation is not a problem. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) also has a Tourist Bungalow.
How to reach there: Gangotri is accessible by road from Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun. The nearest railway station is Haridwar and Dehradun. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant near Rishikesh with Vayudoot flights from Delhi.

In the shadow of the 6,315 mt. high Bandar punch mountain, Yamunotri, the source of river Yamuna, is one of the four most important pilgrimages, collectively called 'Char Dham', of the Garhwal Himalayas. The premier attraction of Yamunotri is the temple devoted to Goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal springs.

What to See

Temple of Yamuna : The temple was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the 19th century.

Surya Kund : There are a number of thermal springs in the vicinty of the temple which flow into number of pools.

Divya Shila : A rock pillar which is worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple.

How to reach there: Yamunotri is not accessible via road. It can be trekked from the base, Hanuman Chatti which is around 14km from Yamunotri. You can either trek up or use ponies. Hanuman Chatti can be reached by road from Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun.