Explore Best Spiritual & Yoga Destinations in India

 India has a rich cultural heritage having deep religious and spiritual connotations. Also, India is where yoga originated and is an important part of Indian culture. There are many places dotting the vast landscape of this diverse country that pride themselves in yoga and other spiritual practices. So, you will find many yoga shalas, Ashrams and contemporary yoga studios spread across different parts of India.

This post will walk you through some of the best spiritual and yoga destinations in India that you can explore during your India travel.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh, nestled in the Himalayan foothills in the Indian state of Uttarakhand is the most popular destination for religious and spiritual seekers as well as yoga lovers. In fact, Rishikesh is famously called the ‘yoga capital of the world’ as it is home to many Ashrams and yoga schools that teach ancient yoga practices in an authentic way. As you travel across this holy city, you are bound to come across many Westerners who enrol in various yoga teacher training programs in Rishikesh such as the 100-hour yoga teacher training school in Rishikesh and the most sought-after 200-hour yoga TTC in Rishikesh. In fact, the world-famous American rock band Beatles visited Rishikesh to learn yogic practices in the 1960s. 

Also, Rishikesh is considered a holy city and is dotted with many ancient temples and shrines. River Ganga that flows through Rishikesh adds to the serenity and natural charm of the place. The evening aarti performed on the banks of the holy Ganges at Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh is a spellbinding spectacle.

So, all in all, Rishikesh is an ideal spiritual and yoga destination if you are looking to immerse in spirituality and also learn authentic yoga practices.

Kerala

The coastal state of Kerala is rightfully called ‘God’s own country’ as it is dotted with vast stretches of beaches, beautiful landscapes, backwaters and houseboats. The serene and verdant backdrop of Kerala offers a perfect setting for yoga and other spiritual practices. Kerala is particularly known for its ancient Ayurvedic practices that are an intrinsic part of the yoga culture of the state. Many students flock to the beautiful locales in Kerala such as Varkala to enrol in various yoga courses and yoga teacher training programs such as the beginner-level 200-hour yoga TTC in Kerala.

 Besides, this southern coastal state is known for a tantric yoga form that combines Hatha yoga and Kalaripayattu, an ancient martial art form practiced in Kerala. This novel yoga form helps enhance your physical powers as well as your spiritual acumen. If you are looking for some serenity and inner peace, you can stay at many of the yoga retreats nestled amidst the lush greenery of Kerala. Engaging in yoga and meditation in such pristine settings will also help you immerse in spirituality and experience enhanced inner consciousness.

Varanasi

Varanasi located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is regarded as the spiritual capital of India. This holy city attracts many Hindu pilgrims and devotees who bathe in the holy waters of the Mighty Ganges to perform funeral rites. Besides, Varanasi or Kashi is home to many famous shrines and temples like the most popular Kashi Vishwanath temple and Shri Vishalakshi Mata Shaktipeeth temple. Besides, the Dashashwamedh Ghat and other religious places add to the spiritual aura of the ancient city of Varanasi.

Furthermore, Varanasi is home to several yoga ashrams and yoga shalas where world-renowned yoga gurus disseminate authentic and traditional yoga knowledge. Also, you will find umpteen yoga studios that teach more contemporary and dynamic forms of yoga.

Considered a prominent religious place for Hindus, Varanasi has a distinctive spiritual charm that draws peace seekers and pilgrims from around the world. So, indulging in meditation and yoga here is probably one of the best spiritual experiences for aspiring yogis. Besides, you can immerse into the culture and traditions of this revered town for a lifetime of memorable experiences.  

Dharamshala

Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh is also regarded as a  hub for all kinds of spiritual activities. Dharamshala is especially popular as a meditation center as it is dotted with many monasteries and temples. The Namgyal and Gyuto monasteries and the Tushita meditation center are the places to visit if you are looking to find some inner peace.

 McLeod Ganj, a quaint Tibetian settlement town located about 20 minutes from Dharamshala is popular for its yoga studios and yoga schools that draw people from across the globe. From drop-in yoga classes to the more rigorous yoga teacher training programs, Dharamshala offers a range of options to yoga aficionados. Besides, Tsuglagkhang Complex, a concrete, the custard-hued monastic village is the major attraction of McLeod Ganj. This complex houses stupas, monasteries and the temple of Dalai Lama. Besides, the complex is home to the holy Dalai Lama and you might just get lucky if you manage to get a glimpse of the Holy Dalai Lama or even better, get to meet him in person.

Gokarna

Gokarna is a quaint and peaceful hamlet situated in western Karnataka. This town is known for its enamoring landscapes, beautiful beaches and Hindu temples. Apart from drawing hordes of nature lovers and pilgrims, Gokarna is also an ideal spiritual and yoga destination. The Shri Mahabaleshwara Swami temple, Bhadrakali temple, Shri Maha Ganapati temple and many more such temples add a religious and spiritual aura to the town of Gokarna. 

Also, the place is lined with some renowned yoga schools, meditation centers and ashrams which offer both short-term yoga courses and more intensive yoga teacher training programs. Some common styles of yoga that you can ace in Gokarna are Iyengar yoga, Vinyasa flow yoga, Hatha yoga, aerial yoga and the more meditative Kundalini yoga. What’s more, practicing yoga on the sandy beaches lined with swaying palms can only help you unwind and connect with your inner self.

Your takeaway!

Travelling to India to explore yoga and spirituality is a life-transforming experience. Besides learning traditional yoga practices, you will come across myriad experiences related to varied customs and traditions and religious practices that remind you about the diversity of this vast nation. Besides these destinations, there are a number of other places in India that you can visit on your next spiritual sojourn. 
Location: United States

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

100 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh: Is it Right for You?

Image
  A 100 hour Yoga teacher training in Rishikesh is the ideal program for those who are short on time and wish to do their 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in two parts - 15 days in each part. Rishikesh, being the globe’s yoga capital offers the perfect ambiance and resources to engage in 100 hour as well as 200 hour yoga teacher training in India. Explore the science of yoga on a deeper level by taking a small step with a 100 hour Yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India. 100 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh: An Outline A 100 hour YTT course usually spans across a period of 7-14 days in which the first part of a 200 hour Yoga TTC is covered. After completion of a 100 hour YTT, you can come back within a couple of years to resume the rest half of the 200 hour YTT curriculum. With two 100 hour YTT, you can finally become a certified yoga teacher. The core of 100 hour YTT is to help the yogis find their center, peace, and heal through the route of yoga while gathering knowledge of
Read more

The Importance of Pranayama in Yoga: Pranayama Therapy Course Online

Image
Many yogis, especially at beginner level, tend to give more attention on the physical aspect of performing the asanas rather than the science behind it, a.k.a., the breath and meditation that become the bridge between the body and mind. A Pranayama Therapy Course Online teaches you how to take physical practices to a higher level of awareness to bring about enhanced outco Pranayama Therapy Course Online mes from the asana practices. The practice becomes therapeutic once breathwork and meditation become a part of physical asana practices. What Is Pranayama Breathing And Where Does It Come From? “Pranayama” comes from Sanskrit and can be translated to ‘breath’, a.k.a. ‘Prana’ and ‘control’, aka ‘ayama’. Put together, Pranayama can be translated to ‘control of breath or breath work’. It is a simple yet deeply therapeutic science to control the breath and channelize it through the body through various breathing techniques. The history of Pranayama is as old as yoga and meditation, i.e.,
Read more