Ten best holy places to visit with your family 20^th December 2021

Inhabited by some of the most highly religious communities and cultures, India is the world's largest multi-ethnic and religiously diverse republic. The air in the land carries the essence of Dharma and Karma to welcome your spiritually thirsty souls.

Here, we've compiled a list of India's most exquisite holy sites to visit with your family or by yourself to find serenity, knowledge, and peace.

1. Shirdi:
Practitioners of several religions visit the Shirdi Temple in Maharashtra - home of the famous guru Shri Sai Baba. The devotees believe that Sai Baba's 'Dwarkamai' is the place that will solve all their problems.

2. Golden temple:
One of the most significant pilgrimage sites for Sikhs is the Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara in Amritsar. One distinct feature of this Gurudwara is its Langar (meal service), which bagged the honour of being one of the most extensive operating kitchen services. The Langar is open all day for the devotees to enjoy delicious prasad and make their visit more memorable.

3. Kedarnath:
The Hindu temple of Kedarnath in Uttarakhand praises Lord Shiva. It is one of India's Char Dhams. According to the mythology of Skanda Purana, Kedarnath is considered the abode of Lord Shiva.

4. Amarnath:
The sacred Amarnath shrine is located in Jammu & Kashmir. Devotees can only access it after a few days of strenuous hiking. This temple does not contain an idol. Instead, a Shivling forms when water flowing from the cave's top solidifies and rises upwards. This natural phenomenon is the highlight of this holy place. Amarnath is also known as one of the 18 Mahashakti Peethas.

5. Vaishno Devi:
Located in Jammu and Kashmir's Trikuta mountains lies the temple of Vaishno Maa. It is a Shakti Peetha and one of India's most prominent religious sites. Moreover, it is associated with a thrilling story highlighting the victory of good over evil. After visiting the Vaishno Devi, visiting the Bhairavnath temple is a must.

6. Badrinath:
As famous as Kedarnath, Badrinath is one of the Char Dhams for Hindus in the state of Uttarakhand. Lord Vishnu was believed to have come here to meditate and call this location home.

7. Temple of Jagannath:
According to Hinduism, the Jagannath temple in Odisha's Puri is an important pilgrimage site as it conducts the annual Rath Yatra here. Many devotees of Vishnu and Krishna participate in the yatra and celebrate the event like a festival. In addition, this temple is famous worldwide for its architectural magnificence.

8. St. Francis church:
Situated in Goa, it is acknowledged as India's first minor basilica. It houses the bones of St. Francis Xavier in a coffin and is only opened to the public once every ten years. It is also renowned for its gothic architecture.

9. Dargah of Haji Ali:
Dargah of Haji Ali is one of India's most famous Islamic holy sites. Situated in southern Mumbai, it consists of a mosque and Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari's grave. The Mughal style architecture influences the dargah, with beautiful white domes and minarets.

10. Bodh Gaya:
Located in Bihar's Gaya district, Bodh Gaya is one of the significant pilgrimage locations for Buddhists. It features three monasteries and several organizations that offer classes on Buddhist philosophy and an 80-foot-tall Buddha statue. It is also home to the Mahabodhi tree, where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment.

When planning your next vacation, consider a couple of these religious sites in your itinerary. Set off on a spiritual pilgrimage with your family and feel inspired. While you uplift spiritually, it is also vital to ensure your family's safety while travelling. Before making travel plans to these holy places, count on Magma HDI's general insurance policies and have a safety net for you and your loved ones.

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.