Spiritual Trip of India: 10 Best Places Giving Spiritual Retreats in India
Looking to cleanse your mind, body, and soul means you are looking for a spiritual holiday. India offers the best places for spiritual retreats in the Ganges areas and the foothills and lap of the Himalayas. Escape from the hustling and honking streets of cities for a few days in the serene beauty of the Himalayas and the calm, soothing music of the flowing Ganga. This blog will discover the 10 most beautiful destinations as an escaping spiritual retreat destination.
Top 10 Spiritual and Religious Retreats of India
- Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Amritsar, Punjab
- Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
- Kedarnath and Badrinath, Uttarakhand
- Vipassana International Academy, Igatpuri, Maharashtra
- Bodh Gaya, Bihar
- Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir
- Pondicherry (Auroville) Tamil Nadu
- Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Suggested Itinerary: Suggested Itinerary: 9 Days 8 Nights Spiritual Tour Of India
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh in Uttarakhand is a beautiful holy city known for spiritual healing in India. Uttarakhand is also called ‘Dev Bhoomi’ in India, which means God’s home destination. The soothing flow of the river Ganga, first touching the foothills directly from the Himalayas, and the serene beauty of the Himalayan ranges make Rishikesh the top city for spiritual holiday destinations.
Rishikesh has always been the land of Yogis and the origin of the Yoga center. The city is world-renowned as the ‘Yoga capital of the world.’ Give yourself a chance to escape in the magical spiritual air of the holy yoga city of ‘Rishikesh.’
Famous Religious Sites in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- Triveni Ghat
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
- Bharat Mandir
- Karnaprayag
- Dev Prayag
- Tera Manzil Temple
- Rudraprayag
- Rishikund
- Parmarth Niketan Ashram
- Sivananda Ashram
- Gita Bhawan
- Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib
- Bhootnath Temple
Best places to stay:
- Parmarth niketan Ashram
- Ananda in the Himalayas
- The Glasshouse in the Ganges
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
As per Hindu mythology, one of India’s holiest cities is ‘Varanasi’. This holy city in India is the home of Lord Shiva, located on the bank of the river Ganga. It is believed that ‘Varanasi’ is the first city in the world and home to several ancient temples. Sadhus and saints are the beauty of the old streets of Varanasi, and Ganga aarti is another main attraction.
Regarding spiritual retreat, ‘Varanasi’ gives an escaping spiritual retreat with the beauty of Ganga and prayers in ‘Kashi Vishwanath temple.’ Witness the true and mythological living of devotees in the city.
Most Famous Religious Places in Varanasi
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Maa Annapurna Temple
- Sankatha Temple
- Kalbhairav Temple
- Mritunjay Mahadev Temple
- New Vishwanath Temple
- Tulsi Manas Temple
- Sankatmochan Temple
- Durga Temple
- Bharat Mata Temple
- Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Panchganga Ghat
- Assi Ghat
- Shivala Ghat
- Ganga River
Best places to stay:
- Brijrama Palace
- Suryauday haveli
- Taj Ganges and many more hotels
Suggested Itinerary: Golden Triangle Tour With Varanasi Holy City and Ganges
Amritsar, Punjab
Believing in equality and humanity as a message from Sikhism, the Golden Temple of Amritsar is believed to be a pure place to cleanse your mind, body, and soul. The temple, located in the middle of a pond, attracts tourists worldwide to admire its beauty and the belief in equality and humanity as a message. Langar and holy chanting in Gurudwara gives you immense peace and calmness.
This holy city in Punjab is one of the best-chosen destinations for spiritual retreats. Enjoy langar and the beautiful premises of the ‘Golden Temple.’
Religious Places in Amritsar, Punjab
- Golden Temple
- Durgiana Temple
- Ram Tirath
- Gurudwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib
- Akal Takht
- Baba Atal Rai Tower
Best places to stay:
- The Radisson Blu Hotel
- Hyatt Residency
- Many more budget hotels
Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj are dedicated to Buddhist monasteries and the Dalai Lama. The landscape beauty of valleys, Himalayan hills, and Buddhist monasteries together makes the destination an adorable abode for spiritual recreation.
Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj are always open to people seeking silence and spiritual healing.
Best places to stay:
- Fortune Park Moksha
- Norling House
Kedarnath and Badrinath, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath and Badrinath are the two most sacred Hindu pilgrim destinations and the best options for spiritual recreation. The beauty of the Himalayan terrain and the trekking path to reach these temples of Lord Shiva and Vishnu make it more popular.
The silence and calmness of the Himalayas and valleys in and around these two beautiful temples are breathtaking and best for spiritual healing practice.
Best places to stay:
- In and around budget hotels, Dharamshalas near the temple.
- Hotels in Gaurikund and Joshimath
Vipassana International Academy, Igatpuri, Maharashtra
‘Vipassana’ means seeking inner peace and inner healing. Through meditation, people seek vipassana healing to overcome their stress and balance their inner feelings. The Vipassana technique is used from ancient Indian healing and meditation methods.
Igatpuri in Maharashtra, known as ‘Vipassana International Academy,’ is best for Vipassana healing and meditation.
Best places to stay:
- Vipassana International Academy
Bodh Gaya, Bihar
The great Gautam Buddha was enlightened under the Bodhi tree, which is still in Bodh Gaya. The Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya is a famous and peaceful place for spiritual retreats. The Mahabodhi temple is one of its kind and well recognized by UNESCO as a heritage site.
The existence of Gautam Buddha can still be felt here, and the peace and silence give a serene atmosphere to escape into a spiritual retreat.
Religious Places in Bodh Gaya, Bihar
- Mahabodhi Temple
- Thai Monastery
- Root Institute
- Metta Buddharam Temple
- Royal Bhutan Monastery
- Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple
- Sujatha Temple.
- Burmese Vihara Monastary
- Chinese Temple
- Ajapala Nigrodha Tree
- Palyul Namdroling Temple
- Daijokyo Buddhist Temple
- Kagyu Monlam
- Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling
Best places to stay:
- Bodhgaya Regency hotel
- The Royal residency
Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir
It is believed, according to Hindu mythology, that Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir is a living place of Goddess Vaishno Devi. People visit this place with dedication and offer prayers to the Goddess. The temple in the Trikuta mountains’ seat in the Himalayan ranges, offers a trek to reach the temple.
The calmness, purity, and prosperity of the temple and its location in the mountains give a great option to escape for a spiritual retreat.
Best places to stay:
- The white hotels
- The Atrium on the greens
- Budget hotels in Katra
Pondicherry (Auroville) Tamil Nadu
Auroville is referred to as the ‘City of Dawn’ because of some reason. The city’s silence, spiritual power, and beauty make it the best place for spiritual retreat and meditation.
The natural ambiance attracts people for meditation and an escape from a busy lifestyle.
Best places to stay:
- Auroville’s diverse guest house
- Retreat centres
- Budget-friendly hotels
Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Mount Abu is a homeland for complexes of Jain temples. The only hill station in Rajasthan is a chosen one for spiritual retreat. The famous Dilwara Jain temple and other Jain temples carved in white marble give the best time to enjoy a spiritual vacation.
The beautiful Nakki Lake and its cool climate make Mount Abu a must-visit destination for spiritual retreats.
Religious Places in Mount Abu
- Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple
- Delwara Jain Temple
- Vasisth Ashram
- Dettrateya Temple
- Luna Vasahi
- Adhardevi Temple
- Sant Sarovar
- Sankar Math
- Vimal Vasahi Temple
- Rishabdeoji Temple
- Gaumukh Temple
- Raghunath Temple
- Rishikesh Temple
- Parshavnathji Temple
Best places to stay:
- Mount regency
- Cama Rajputana club resort
- Budget hotels in the city
“Stealing time from the loud noise of the streets and robotic hardworking life searches for spiritual healing retreats destinations. India has many beautiful destinations offering spiritual healing and meditation destination. Choose the best destinations to relieve stress and soothe your soul and mind.”