Top 10 travel destinations in India for spiritual people
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India is a land where the sacred weaves seamlessly into everyday life. From the sound of temple bells at dawn to the stillness of ancient monasteries, its spiritual landscapes change you from within, if you allow it. This guide explores 10 destinations where mindfulness and devotion are part of the air you breathe.
Locations in India for spiritual travellers
1. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Where the Ganges flows fresh from the Himalayas, Rishikesh holds a rhythm of mantras, temple bells, and soft river breezes. Ashrams and yoga schools line the ghats, offering retreats for deep inner work. The evenings glow with the Ganga Aarti (a ritual with oil lamps), while the surrounding hills invite silent walks.
2. Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Bodh Gaya is a pilgrimage of stillness, centred around the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi tree under which Siddhartha became the Buddha. Monasteries from across Asia create a spiritual mosaic here, and the chants that echo at dawn makes us want to touch the same state of awakening.
Harmandir Sahib, Attari, Punjab, India. Photo: Laurentiu Morariu.
3. Amritsar, Punjab
The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is a shimmering sanctuary in the middle of a sacred pool. Devotees and visitors share meals in the langar, a vast communal kitchen that feeds thousands daily. The combination of service, music, and sacred space creates a profound sense of unity.
4. Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
Nestled in the Dhauladhar range, this is the heart of Tibetan Buddhism in India and the home of the Dalai Lama. Monasteries, meditation centres, and tea gardens coexist with small mountain paths where prayer flags flutter in the wind. It is a place of cultural preservation and inner listening.
Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India. Photo: Jeet Sandhu.
5. Auroville, Tamil Nadu
Founded on the vision of human unity, Auroville is an experiment in mindful living. Its centrepiece, the golden Matrimandir, is a silent space for concentration and meditation. Communities here blend sustainability, art, and spirituality, surrounded by Tamil Nadu’s coastal light.
6. Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
High in the Garhwal Himalayas, Kedarnath’s stone temple to Shiva stands against a backdrop of snow-clad peaks. Accessible only by an arduous trek, the journey itself becomes an act of devotion. In the rarefied air, every sound (bells, chants, footsteps) feels amplified.
7. Hemkund Sahib, Uttarakhand
At 4,329 metres, Hemkund Sahib is a Sikh pilgrimage site by a crystal-clear glacial lake. Wildflowers bloom along the trail in summer, and the surrounding peaks mirror in the still water. The journey here is as humbling as the prayers sung in the gurdwara (a place of worship open to people of all faiths).
8. Gangotri, Uttarakhand
Considered the source of the Ganges, Gangotri is a small temple town wrapped in pine forests and mountain silence. Pilgrims come to honour the river’s origins, but the Himalayan setting also draws those seeking solitude, with trails leading deeper into the valley.
9. Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Rajasthan’s only hill station, Mount Abu offers cool air and lush surroundings that feel worlds away from the desert. The marble Dilwara Temples are its spiritual jewel; intricate carvings that seem to breathe devotion into stone. The views at sunrise and sunset turn the hills gold.
10. Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
A place of quiet reverence, Sarnath is where the Buddha first taught the Dharma. Stupas (Buddhist architectural structures), monasteries, and the archaeological park preserve its heritage. Visitors often sit under trees here, reading or meditating, surrounded by a timeless sense of calm.
A journey inward and outward
Travelling through these sacred places in India is a path of self-discovery. Each destination offers a different doorway to presence: through mountain air, river rituals, or silent meditation halls.
Which of these places calls to you most? Let that be your starting point, and step forward with an open heart.
About the author: Thaíz Lara is the creator behind New Hermits, a New Zealand-based storyteller who believes in the power of story and soul-filled travel. After living in 5 countries and exploring 60, she has come to understand that the most meaningful journeys often begin within. Learn more about Lara.
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