Our country India pulsates with spirituality and piety of the many religiously inclined natives. This is a land where worshipping is considered as important as inhaling air for survival; a land where the air is permeated with the aroma of camphor and incense sticks the sound of ringing bells and so on. Various types of temples dot our country most generously and thus India is often defined as the venerated ‘land of temples’. There are innumerable pilgrimage destinations in our country but the ‘Sapta Puri’ or ‘seven holy lands’ hold special significance for the Hindus. These seven holy places are the seven sacred tirthas which according to mythology have been visited by the various Gods and goddesses as well as god incarnations from time to time. Also, these holy places have seen the birth as well as spiritual growth of many great seers and saints and also the emergence of many significant religious cults.
The places designated as Sapta Puri are as follows-
Ayodhya
The holy city of Ayodhya stands on the river banks of Sarayu in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. This is the city where lord Rama is said to have taken his birth and that amplifies its sacredness. The other name for Ayodhya is Saket. The city is said to have been founded by Manu who was known to be the founder of all Hindu ideologies as well. Our great epic Ramayana makes a frequent mention of the holy city of Ayodhya. Ayodhya is dotted with several sacred temples, Kunds and Ghats. The most notable among those are Kala ram Mandir, Kanak Bhavan, Treth ka mandir, Kshireshwaranath temple, Hanuman Garhi, Vashisth Kund
Haridwar
Haridwar, the holy city in the state of Uttarakhand stands on River Ganga’s western banks. The city is one of the Kumbh Mela destinations. Haridwar’s famous Har-ki-Pauri Ghat is flocked by thousands of pilgrims each day. Pilgrims visit the ghat to take a holy dip in the river Ganges and get all their sins absolved. Secondly, the Ganga Aarti at Har ki Pauri Ghat is another attraction that pulls pilgrims and visitors to the Ghat each evening. Haridwar is famous also for its many sacred and ancient temples like Mansa Devi temple, Maya Devi temple, Chandi Devi temple, Bharat Mata Mandir. The word ‘Haridwar’ has the meaning ‘gateway to God’s world’. It is actually from Haridwar that the Yatra to Uttarakhand Chardham commences.
Mathura
Mathura or Brajbhoomi was that holy land where lord Krishna took his birth. Thus Mathura is also often referred to as Krishna Janmabhoomi. The city stands along River Yamuna’s right bank and within Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district. As per our ancient literary texts the history of Mathura dates back to the 7th century. The city is dotted with temples plus religious sites related to the life of Lord Krishna. The most important temple of Mathura however is the Keshav dev temple. This temple is said to have a 5000 years old history. The other must-visit sites of Mathura include Rangabhumi [the place where lord Krishna had killed Kansa], Vishram Ghat [the place where lord Krishna is said to have taken rest after killing Kansa, the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, ISKON Temple, Banke Bihari temple, Krishna Balaram temple, Govindji temple, Rangaji temple, Madan Mohan temple, Seva kunj, Radha damodar temple, Radha Gopinath temple.
Varanasi
The ancient city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is another high sacred city for the Hindus. The ancient name of Varanasi was Kashi or Benaras. The city has a 5000 years old history and is believed to be the most ancient of all living cities. The city stands along the river banks of the holy Ganges and is believe to offer sure-shot ‘Moksha’ to the departing souls of the deceased. In the ancient times the city had been one of the most vital centers of Brahmanical studies. Varanasi today enjoys global fame due to its many important Ghats, temples, Banarasi silks and the very authentic Banarasi Paan. The most major temples of Varanasi are Kashi vishwanath Jyotirlingam temple, Adi Keshava Vishnu temple, Durga temple, Sankat mochan temple, Bindu Madhava temple. Some of the most notable Ghats of Varanasi are Assi, Manikarnika, Tulsi, Dasaswamedh, Varanasi, Panchganga. Each day thousands of Hindu rituals take place on these ghats of Varanasi
Dwarka
The holy city of Dwarka in the state of Gujarat is not only one of the Saptapuris but also is one of the Chardhams of the all India Chardham circuit. Dwarka according to mythology had been the swarna Dwarka or the legendary capital of King of Dwarka, Lord Krishna who is said to have ruled over this place after departing from Mathura. The major sacred places of Dwarka are Dwarkadhish temple, Beyt Dwarka, Gomti Ghat, Rukmini Mandir, Nageshwar Jyotirlingam shrine of Lord Shiva.
Ujjain
The city of Ujjain lies in the state of Madhya Pradesh and as per myths is said to have come into existence after the episode of Samudra Manthan in which both the Gods and Demons had participated to churn up the celestial ocean. The city stands along the river banks of Kshipra and is also differently referred to as Avantika. Myths tell that lord Shiva had put an end to demon Tripura at this place. The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple of Lord Shiva located in Ujjain enjoys fame nationwide. Also, according to myths sage Sandipani had offered lessons to Lord Krishna as well as Lord Balaram at this place. Thus, the Gopal temple of Ujjain belonging to sage Sandipani and his two disciples is also a great attraction for the tourists and pilgrims to Ujjain
Kanchi
Kanchipuram in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu is another holy destination which every devout Hindu longs to visit. The city stands along the river banks of Vegavathy. Both Vaishnavites as well as Shaivites flock at Kanchipuram to soak in its spiritual aura. The most famous and must-visit temples of Kanchipuram are Kamakshi Amman temple, Vaikunta Perumal temple, Ekambareswarar temple and Kailashnathar temple.