Indian Temples Tours

Looking at the rippling water, I was awestruck by the beauty, expanse and serenity of Ganges. What amazed me most were the changing faces of the river from a narrow stream of water oozing out of Gangotri glacier to the five confluences of six rivers that gives us the holy river-Ganga.


Many of the temples built on the bank of this holy river are symbols of Hinduism. In fact cities like Varanasi and Haridwar are considered by all Hindus to be the holiest cities in Hinduism.


Varanasi is one of the oldest and continuously inhabited cities in the world and is an important place of worship for Hindus. The city is situated between two rivers Varuna and Asi, which join the River Ganges. What makes the city a must-visit destination in Indian temple tours is the presence of hundreds of small and big temples in and around the city, including the most famous Kashi Vishwanath temple built along the bank of the Ganges.


Kashi Vishwanath Temple gets repeated mention in Hindu theology as a central place for worship in Shaiva philosophy. The temple is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva- the ruler of the universe. A visit to the temple and a bath in the river is one of the many methods believed to lead one to the path of liberation. There is also a tradition that a visit to this temple should also be followed by a visit to the temple at Rameswaram in South India. Due to the immense popularity and faith in this temple, hundreds of temples across the nation have been built copying the same style and architecture.


Along with Varanasi another extremely holy city for Hindus is Haridwar. In Hindu traditions, the five pilgrimages within Haridwar are Gangadwara or Har ki Pauri, Kushwart or Ghat in Kankhal, Bilwa Teerth or the Mansa Devi Temple and Neel Parvat or Chandi Devi temple. There are several other temples and ashrams located in and around the city but for a tourist and first-time visitor, Erco Travels always maintain that these five holy places should be certainly visited.


Har ki Pauri was constructed by King Vikramaditya. It is believed that Bhrithari, Kings younger brother came to Haridwar and meditated on the banks of the holy Ganges and this Ghat was constructed in his memory. For tourists the major attraction of this place is the evening prayers offered to the Goddess Ganga. Watching this prayer is an enchanting experience states Erco Travels.


In Hardiwar another well-known temple is that of Daksheswara Mahadev temple. According to Hindu texts, Lord Shivas first wifes father-King Daksha Prajapati performed a yagna in which he didnt invite Lord Shiva. When he arrived uninvited, he was insulted by the king, seeing which Lord Shivas wife did self-immolation in the fire of yagna kund. King Daksha was later killed by the demon Virbhadra, who was born out of Shiva's anger. This temple is a tribute to this legend.


Another very renowned temple in Haridwar is that of Mansa Devi. Situated on the top of Bilwa Parwat, this temple is of the Goddess Mansa Devi, for whom devotees vouch for fulfilling their desires. Needless to say, the place is a popular tourist destination and has a lot to see besides the temple, primarily because of the cable car that takes the tourists to this temple.


In fact Erco Travels agents state that in India each religion has so much to offer that if one starts writing about each of these destinations every religion will have need to have one encyclopedia containing it all-such is the diversity and vastness of the country.