Exploring Northern India's Mystical Temples
Divine India: A Guide to Famous Temples and Temple Cities of North India
India is called the land of temples and spiritual experience blends with history, architecture and cultural legacy. Among such many regions is North India, titled as the land of faith where pilgrims feel transported to abyss of devotion, heritage and tranquility. From the ghats of Varanasi to the Holy city of Amritsar, from yoga capital Rishikesh to the stunning temples of Khajuraho, this journey is not just sightseeing but also a soulful experience.
“One way to experience divinity, challenge and purity is to witness gods in their surroundings, idyllic and ample temples at all the corners of cities, towns and villages across the globe.” We, at Art of Travel India Holidays are into designing, plan & organise the best possible tours of temples across India for global [and local ] visitors. Our itineraries are tailor-made to suit your requirements, whether it’s sunrise prayers on the banks of the Ganges, the reciting of Sikh hymns at the Golden Temple, or the magnificent carvings of Khajuraho – we promise a smooth and enriching experience.
Some of the noteworthy temples and temple cities of North India are
Varanasi and Sarnath: City of Light for the ages
Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is one of the world’s oldest living cities and the holiest of all Hindu pilgrimage places. The ghats are also where the life and death play harmoniously in Varanasi.
Surely one must-do experience is the early morning boat ride on the River Ganges, where the sun glares on the water and priests enact sacred rituals as the devotees bathe in the holy river. The chanting of mantras, hymns and other folk music during evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat will take you to another world altogether, complemented by the aura of divinity added by the glimmering lamps!
A closeby is Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after he got enlightenment. This has a sacred value for the Buddhists worldwide due to Dhamek Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, and Buddhist monasteries. Varanasi and Sarnath epitomize the spiritual diversity that makes India what it is.
Haridwar and Rishikesh: Himalayan Gateways
Located along the path of the sacred River Ganges, Haridwar stands among the seven most sacred towns of Hinduism. The city is famous* for its Har Ki Pauri Ghat, where thousands of pilgrims set afloat tiny lamps in the Ganga as the evening falls. It is also the home of the Kumbh Mela* a massive Hindu pilgrimage held every 12 years, one of the largest public events in the world.
The Yoga Capital of the World – Just down the road, 25 kilometers, is Rishikesh. Envisioned under the stroke of magic, with a desire to create a world-class wellness paradise, nestled in the midst of the beautiful mountains and the river valley, overlooking the majestic Ganges, The suspension bridges Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula, along with ashrams and temples, are worth a visit. To many international travelers, who come here for yoga teacher training, spiritual enlightenment goes hand in hand with improving one’s health.
Mathura & Vrindavan – Lord Krishna’s Abode
Mathura- It’s the birth place of Lord Krishna and is of great religious and cultural importance in Hindu mythology. And from the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple to the Dwarkadhish Temple, every nook echoes tales from Krishna’s life.
Nearby Vrindavan is the site of Krishna’s childhood, filled with miracles and the music of the flute for the cowherds. Notable sites include Banke Bihari Temple, ISKCON Temple, and Prem Mandir. During Holi, it provides a life time experience as the festival is nothing but colours, emotions and devotion.
Prayagraj (Allahabad): The Confluence of Faith
Home to the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, Prayagraj as it is now called, is among the most sacred in India. Believers from all over the world flock here to take a dip, which is supposed to purify the soul from sins.
The city also hosts the Kumbh Mela, which draws millions of devotees, saints, and foreign tourists. The historic Hanuman Mandir and the Allahabad Fort built by Emperor Akbar are among the city’s other points of importance.
Amritsar: Experience the Golden Temple
A tour of North India’s temple cities would not be complete without a stop in Amritsar, where the Harmandir Sahib, or Golden Temple, stands. This Sikh temple is famous for its golden exterior, serene Sarovar (holy tank) and soulful chant of Gurbani (Sikh religious hymns)
A section of the event, aimed particularly at political leaders, diplomats, journalists, academics and opinion-makers, is the langar, a community kitchen that serves everyone who comes — Christian, Jewish, Jain or Buddhist, Dalit or Kshatriya — to free meals. The Golden Temple is not only a religious place, it is the epitome of equality, led by humility and humanity.
Khajuraho: Temples of Love and Life
Khajuraho, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known the world over for its beautiful temples featuring erotic sculptures. These temples are a masterpiece of architecture and they are renowned for the erotic sculptures carved on the walls of the temples, which you will never find anywhere, the sculptures are the depictions of passions and human emotions.
The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is the biggest and most stunning of them. Khajuraho is about more than art — it is about faith, a lens into India’s ancient religious traditions.
Pushkar: Obverse side Ajmer: Reverse side Twins destination of faith.
Pushkar A small town around Pushkar Lake, is well known for the and as one of the very few temples of the Hindu creator-god Brahma. Pushkar is additionally famous for the Camel Fair held every year, merging culture, sale of camels and celebration.
About 15 kilometers away is Ajmer which holds the Ajmer Sharif Dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. It is one of Islam’s holiest pilgrimage destinations, and a testament to the unity among the faiths. As a pair, Pushkar and Ajmer symbolize the liberal soul of India’s spirituality.
GAYA and BODH GAYA: the seat of enlightenment
Gaya, in the state of Bihar:
This place is famous for Pind Daan where Hindus come in large numbers to offer prayers to their ancestors so that their soul may be liberated from the cycle of life and death
Nearby Bodh Gaya is one of Buddhism’s holiest spots, where Prince Siddhartha achieved enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Tree and became the Buddha. Monks and visitors from all parts of the world come to this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site and to reflect at the Mahabodhi Temple amidst the peace and tranquility of the places.
Why Art of Travel India Holidays for Temple Tours?
We understand that traveling to India temple cities is not just travel it’s a spiritual journey. Having more than a decade of experience, award-winning services and customized itineraries, We are the best tour operator for the temple tour in India.
We ensure:
Carefully planned trips to the temples in Northern India.
Local guides bringing history and culture to life.
Stays that are comfortable and logistics that go smoothly — for stress-free travel.
Experiences for pilgrims as well as for cultural tourists.
When you tour with us, you don’t tour temples, you connect with the spiritual heartbeats of India having a divine experience at temples of northern India.
