Pilgrimage Tours in India: Land of Ram and Rahim

One of the biggest democracies in the world and one with a secular base, India has one of the most complex demographic profile. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Jews, Parsis, and several other smaller religious denominations are all inseparable part of Indian society and Indian culture, all complimenting each other like myriad colors of Nature. India Pilgrimage Tours take you on an unbelievable journey of ‘oneness’ in humanity that binds us all, despite our origins, ethnicity, languages we speak, philosophies we believe, and paths we follow.  Pilgrimage tours in India take us on an exploration to discover ourselves, our spirit, and our divinity.

Monasteries in Ladakh preserve Tibetan Buddhism well. Besides preserving religious sects, they showcase the beauty and wisdom of Tibetan culture and Tibetan society. If you care to delve deeper, you will find several tributes to Tibetan struggle for freedom. The chief attractions of these monasteries are their dance festivals which are grand and bring color to the frozen lands of Leh and Ladakh.

Golden Temple of Amritsar, with its sparkling reflection in the sacred lake where devotees take a holy dip, is certainly the best maintained religious precincts in India. Entirely taken care of by devotees who take on the duties of the temple as a boon and opportunity to serve their Gurus, the Golden Temple is much appreciated for its cleanliness and services.

River Ganges, originating at Gangotri in Uttaranchal and dropping off at Bay of Bengal, has several religious sites along its banks. Ganga Aarti at Haridwar and Rishikesh, and an early morning boat ride along the Ghats of Varanasi are one of the most wondrous sights that foreign tourists love for their picturesque views. Thousands of lit earthen lamps floating in river waters and jumbled up voices of innumerable devotees echoing the ‘aarti’ present a surreal picture that is difficult to capture in words or camera. Similarly, the luxury boat rides on River Ganga, with muted music of table and sarangi, are perfect to see how the world rises with the first rays of the sun, drowning the darkness and silence of night into the busy movements and sounds of life and prayers during daytime.

It is surprising to see how the 400-year old Mughal rule brought a turnaround in Hinduism-dominated Indian culture and some of the most major temples of the North now coexist with mosques, joined wall-to-wall. The Babri Masjid structure in Ayodhya, birthplace of Lord Rama, has been demolished due to power politics but the Krishna Janmabhoomi at Mathura, birthplace of Lord Krishna; and Gyanvapi Mosque besides Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi, the City of Lord Shiva, are still standing as the proof of love and affection between the two communities.

India has also been the birthplace of Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavir and several Jain and Buddhist pilgrimage sites form the highlights of pilgrimage tours in India. Churches of Goa are noteworthy too and were the harbingers of Christian missionary work in India. The land of one and all, India has preached love and humanity to the world since old times. Today, Pilgrimage Tours in India are a tribute to its spiritual glory and supremacy and express a hope that message finally passes around the world and helps us to curb violence and terrorism.

Sara has deep interest in writing informative articles on Travel and tourism in India. Also given her words to a portal for India Tours where one can find info on India Tour Packages and India Pilgrimage Tour and other destinations of India. Explore- www.india-tours.net and get your dream vacation package.