9 places to discover
Bhakti Mandir Mangarh is a Hindu temple located in Mangarh village near Kunda in Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh. Built by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and inaugurated in November 2005, it is dedicated to Radha Krishna and made of pink sandstone and white marble. The temple is known for its life-size deities, intricate carvings, and evening lighting, and serves as the central shrine of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat.
Chaturshringi Temple is a prominent Hindu shrine located on a hill slope along Senapati Bapat Road in Pune, Maharashtra. Dedicated to Goddess Chaturshringi (Ambareshwari), the presiding deity of Pune, the temple stands 90 feet high and 125 feet wide. Founded in 1786 by merchant Durlabhsheth Pitambardas Mahajan, it houses a swayambhu idol and features over 170 steps leading to the main shrine. The site is a Grade 1 heritage structure managed by the Chattushringi Devasthan Trust.
Deekshabhoomi is a sacred Buddhist monument and stupa located in Nagpur, Maharashtra, marking the site where Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and approximately 400,000 followers embraced Buddhism on October 14, 1956. It is considered the first pilgrimage center of Ambedkarite Buddhism and features the world's largest hollow stupa. The monument serves as a central memorial to Dr. Ambedkar and a significant symbol of social liberation and Navayana Buddhism.
Do Drul Chorten is a prominent Buddhist stupa located in Deorali, near Gangtok in Sikkim. Built in 1945-1946 by Trulshik Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism, it is one of the largest stupas in Sikkim. The white dome topped with a golden spire enshrines relics, holy texts and mantras, and is encircled by 108 prayer wheels. It is a major pilgrimage and sightseeing site.
Kotilingeshwara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kammasandra village in Kolar district, Karnataka, about 100 km from Bengaluru. It is notable for housing around 90 lakh small Shiva lingas spread across 15 acres and a 33-metre tall Shiva linga accompanied by an 11-metre tall Nandi statue, among the tallest in Asia. Initiated in 1980, the temple aims to install one crore lingas and attracts devotees especially during Maha Shivaratri.
Kunzum Mata Temple is a high-altitude Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Durga, situated atop Kunzum Pass at approximately 4,551 meters in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. It serves as a spiritual guardian for travelers crossing one of India's highest motorable mountain passes connecting Lahaul and Spiti valleys. The temple is accessible seasonally from June to October and is renowned for the tradition where vehicles circumambulate the shrine for safe passage.
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist temple complex in Bodh Gaya, Gaya District, Bihar, India. Marking the site where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, it features the 55-metre grand temple built in classical Indian style, the sacred Bodhi Tree, Vajrasana throne, and surrounding votive stupas. Originally established by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and restored in the 5th-6th century CE, it is the most sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide.
Manimahesh Lake is a high-altitude sacred lake situated at 4,080 meters in the Pir Panjal Range of Himachal Pradesh. Located near the Manimahesh Kailash Peak, it is a major Hindu pilgrimage site where devotees undertake a trek to take a holy dip. The lake is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva and hosts an annual fair attracting thousands of pilgrims during August and September.
The Rajarajeshwara Temple is an ancient Hindu temple in Taliparamba, Kannur district, Kerala, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the 108 Shiva temples of Kerala and one of the Dwadasha Shivalayam. The temple features traditional Kerala architecture with a two-tiered rectangular sanctum and copper-sheeted roof. Legend states the Shiva Linga was installed by sage Maandhatha and later reinforced by Parasurama. The temple is renowned for its cultural significance as a center for Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu performances.