Since time immemorial, India has been known for its spirituality, religious tolerance and its secular character. India is called the "yogabhoomi" and the gateway to the heavens. Innumerable saints and seers, in their quest for knowledge, have contributed largely to the development of various religious monuments viz. Temples, Mosques, Monasteries etc. built lavishly across the length and breadth of the country. For this very reason, India is also known as the of temple country. The architectural exuberance is expressed in its places of worship, which form an integral part of its cultural diversity. It has been a tradition in India to commemorate all the deities, gods and goddesses by building shrines, which is evident in the various temples. In the olden times, kings of various dynasties used to worship a particular deity, and thus it was a common practice to build huge temples, which are in themselves, architectural marvels. India is famous for its places of worship. The cosmopolitan flavour of its religions is well reflected in its multitude of holy shrines. Apart from the pilgrim centres that India is known for, a large number of places of worship are known among devotees for eternal powers and wish fulfillment.

Kedarnath

The Kedarnath shrine, At an altitude of 3,581 mt it is a 14 km trek from Gaurikund. Is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. it is a scenic spot placed against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range.

Badrinath

The temple of Shri Badrinathji is 15 mt.high, built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull and spire is Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Set amidst a picturesque valley, at an altitude of 3,133 mt. above sea-level, it is located on the right bank of holy river Alaknanda. The other temples and places of worship worth a mention in Uttar Pradesh are Vishvanath Temple (Varanasi), Vindhyachal Temple, Rishikesh, Naina Devi Temple, Mathura, Mansa Devi, Har Ki Pauri, Ghat (Varanasi), Mathura-Vrindavan, Hemkund Sahib. There are quite a few churches too including St. John's Church, St. George's Church, St. Mary's Church, Holy Trinity Church, All Saints' Cathedral, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral. Temple of Shri Naina Devi Ji is situated on hill top in Bilaspur distt. of Himachal Pradesh in India.

Amritsar

The Golden Temple at Amritsar, is the most famous of Sikhs monuments, ornamented with a gilt by Raja Ranjit Singh. Surrounded with water on all the sides, it was erected in the 16th century. The mandir, a two storeyed structure is built on a 67 ft square of marble. Anandpur Sahib in Punjab is one of the most revered places of pilgrim for the Sikh community.


Delhi

The Jama Masjid, overlooking the old markets of Chandni Chowk, is one of the largest mosques in India. It was built by Shah Jahan in Delhi. Jama Masjid, looks across the old markets of the city that are massed around Chandni Chowk and stretches till the great Red Fort.

Ajmer

The Dargah at Ajmer is a shrine considered to be a place of wish fulfillments for those who pray with devout and pure hearts. This Dargah houses the tomb of Saint Mohinudeen Chisti. In the vicinity of the Dargah the tomb of The Saint's daughter-Bili Hafiz Jama & tomb of Shah Jahan's daughter Chimni Begum is located.' Ajmer' owes its composite culture to the reign of many dynasties that came, ruled and left, leaving behind indelible marks of their culture and traditions culture. Ajmer is situated in a valley surrounded by the Aravali hills, 131 Kms West of Jaipur. It is also associated with remarkable historical events. 'Dargah Khwaja Sahib' the landmark of Ajmer. One of the holiest Muslim shrines in the country. The city has some splendid master pieces of Indo-Islamic architecture.'

Pushkar

Pushkar', 11 Kms West of Ajmer, along the picturesque Pushkar Lake lies the tranquil town with deep religious significance. An important pilgrimage centre of Hindus, flourishing with 400 temples and a lake encircles by 52 ghats. The biggest attraction being the temple of Lord Brahma. Pushkar is also the site for one of the largest and most colorful cattle fairs in the world.


Orissa

Orissa or Kalinga as it was then called was a settlement of non-Aryan and Aryan settlers. It was here that the famous Battle of Kalinga was fought which made King Ashoka forsake war. Situated in Orissa and built in the 13th century to commemorate a military victory, the Sun Temple is an architectural splendour. The main tower of Konark stands 227 feet high superceding both Lingaraja and Jagannath temples. The temple, known as the black pagoda, is a brilliant chronicle in stone, with thousands of images including deities.Jagannath Temple, Lingaraja Temple, Devgarh, Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh; Somnath Temple in Gujarat are some of the well known temples.

Varanasi

The major attraction of Varanasi is the long strings of ghats, which line the western bank of the Ganges. There are over a 100 bathing and burning ghats but the Manikarnika Ghat is the most sacred of them all. This is the main burning ghats and one of the most auspicious places where a Hindu can be cremated. Dasaswamedha Ghat is probably the most convenient starting point. At the time of sunrise, people visit this ghat to get an interesting introduction to the river. Here you'll witness the throng of people who come to the edge of the Ganges not only for a ritual bath, but to practice yoga, offer blessings, buy paan, sell flowers, get a massage, play cricket, have a swim or get a shave. Apart from the many ghats lining the river, the city's other highlights include the Golden Temple also known as Vishwanath Temple, built in a roofed quadrangle with stunning gilded towers. Shopping at markets famous for their ornamental brass work, lacquered toy, shawls, silks and sitars; visiting the nearby Buddhist centre of Sarnath. The Durga Mata temple was built in 18th century, stained in red with ochre is also a must see.

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