India is home to famous religious places that attract millions every year. From Kashi Vishwanath and Kedarnath in North India to the Golden Temple and Sri Venkateswara in South India, these holy sites offer peace, blessings, and a spiritual experience.
This blog lists the top 10 religious places to visit in 2026, their importance, and what makes them special. It also explains how a loan for travel can help fund your trip easily, covering travel, stay, and other expenses with simple steps and flexible repayment.
Top 10 Religious Places to Visit in India
Here are the top 10 holy places in India for a unique and memorable spiritual experience:
1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, is one of India’s famous sacred places, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located near the holy River Ganga in one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Varanasi is a holy town where prayers, rituals, and devotion are part of daily life. Visiting this temple brings blessings, peace, and prosperity. It is said that a visit to Kashi Vishwanath is incomplete without visiting the Bhairav temple.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
2. Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Temple is located in one of India's holy cities. It is famous for the Char Dham Yatra. Kedarnath is located at the base of snow-laden peaks in Uttarakhand and is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus.
The trek to the temple is challenging, but Hindu pilgrims believe the effort brings spiritual rewards. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Kedarnath Temple offers a serene and holy spiritual experience.
Best Time to Visit: May to June and September to October
3. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu
This temple is one of India’s most famous religious places in India. Located in the Trikuta Mountains, it attracts millions of pilgrims each year.
The trek to the temple is long, but the journey is filled with faith and devotion. Pilgrims believe that Mata Vaishno Devi blesses them with strength, peace, and blessings.
Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to October
4. Golden Temple, Amritsar
The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest Sikh shrine in India. Famous for its golden architecture and peaceful surroundings, it attracts millions of visitors every year. The Golden Temple in Amritsar serves thousands of visitors daily in its community kitchen, exemplifying selfless service.
This one of the famous pilgrimage sites is known for its community kitchen (langar), serving free meals to thousands daily. Pilgrims visit here from all backgrounds and religions to pray and seek blessings.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
5. Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand
Badrinath Temple is one of the famous Hindu holy places dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is a key stop on the Char Dham Yatra. The temple sits near the Alaknanda River, surrounded by the Himalayan mountains.
Devotees believe visiting Badrinath washes away sins. This is one of the popular religious sites in India, known for its blessings, peace, and prosperity. The temple offers a serene and holy spiritual experience.
Best Time to Visit: May to June and September to October
6. Jagannath Temple, Puri
Jagannath Temple, Puri, is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Krishna. It is one of the twelve principal dhams and holds great importance in Hinduism.
The temple is a top pilgrimage destination in India. It is famous for the Rath Yatra festival and its temple kitchen (langar), which serves food to thousands of visitors every day.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
7. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
This holy place in Rameswaram is a major pilgrimage destination in South India. It is dedicated to Lord Rama and is famous for its long corridors and sacred water tanks.
Devotees take ritual baths before offering prayers. This makes the visit a deeply spiritual experience. The temple attracts millions of pilgrims and spiritual seekers each year.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
8. Amarnath Cave Temple, Jammu & Kashmir
This temple is one of India’s most unique pilgrimage destinations. Inside the cave, a natural ice formation is worshipped as Lord Shiva.
The journey to the temple is tough and requires physical strength. However, pilgrims and people believe the visit brings divine blessings, peace, and miraculous spiritual experiences.
Best Time to Visit: July to August
9. Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka is believed to be the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna. It is one of the four Dhams and a highly revered Hindu shrine.
The temple is located near the sea, offering a serene and peaceful environment for devotees. Visiting Dwarkadhish Temple provides a holy spiritual experience and divine blessings.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
10. Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, is the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in the world.
The temple complex is peaceful and ideal for meditation. Tourists from all religions visit for peace, reflection, and spiritual experience.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Tips for Pilgrimage Travel in India
Below are the essential tips to plan a safe, convenient, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage across India.
Plan Your Trip in Advance: Research the top pilgrimage destinations in India, their significance, and the best time to visit. Booking flights, trains, or buses early ensures a smooth spiritual journey.
Choose Nearby Accommodations: Stay close to the Hindu shrines or holy towns for easy access. Many temples offer dharmashalas or guesthouses for pilgrims seeking convenience and peace.
Follow Travel Safety Tips: Carry essential documents, maintain personal safety, and respect local customs. Travel in groups when trekking to remote pilgrimage sites like Kedarnath or Amarnath.
Plan a Suggested Itinerary: Prioritise top pilgrimage destinations and include time for rituals, prayers, and spiritual experiences. Allocate sufficient days for both North and South shrines for a fulfilling journey.
To Conclude
India is home to some of the world’s most sacred religious destinations, attracting millions of devotees every year. From the holy ghats of Varanasi to ancient temples across South India, these places offer a deep sense of faith and peace. They also create a profound spiritual connection for those planning a pilgrimage in 2026.
A Personal Loan from Poonawalla Fincorp can help cover travel plans, accommodation, and other pilgrimage expenses. It can make your journey more comfortable with flexible repayment options, competitive rates, minimal documentation, and a simple application process.
FAQs
Can my existing bank account affect the approval and loan amount for a Personal Loan?
Yes, lenders review your bank account transactions, including salary slips, monthly inflows, and spending patterns, to assess your financial stability. A healthy bank account history can increase your eligibility for loan amounts and may even help you secure better interest rates. Maintaining a stable bank account ensures a smoother and faster approval process, making it easier to fund visits to revered pilgrimage sites.
Are senior citizens allowed special entry or facilities at major pilgrimage sites?
Most major temples provide special queues, wheelchairs, and assistance for elderly pilgrims visiting pilgrimage sites.
What is the maximum travel loan amount I can get for travel purposes?
The loan amount depends on your income, repayment capacity, and credit profile, helping you fund trips to revered pilgrimage places. Poonawalla Fincorp offers Personal Loan for travel of up tp ₹50 Lakh at competitive interest rates.
Can I get a Personal Loan to visit multiple religious places in India if I have a stable income?
Yes, applicants with a stable income can apply for a travel Personal Loan to visit various holy places. Lenders assess your financial capacity and repayment ability to approve a loan amount suitable for your journey.
How should I choose the loan tenure for my travel loan to visit religious sites?
It determines how long you will repay your Personal Loan. Selecting the right loan tenure helps manage monthly payments comfortably during your journey. A suitable loan tenure ensures you can enjoy visiting multiple religious sites without financial stress
We take utmost care to provide information based on internal data and reliable sources. However, this article and associated web pages provide generic information for reference purposes only. Readers must make an informed decision by reviewing the products offered and the terms and conditions. Loan disbursal is at the sole discretion of Poonawalla Fincorp.
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