Puri · Odisha
Puri
Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the Jagannath temple; photography is not allowed inside.
Spiritual and cultural journeys
These are living places of worship and tradition, not just sights. Dress modestly, ask before photographing people and follow local customs.
How we chose these: Places with the Spiritual theme or a strong living-culture element.
29 places
Amritsar · Punjab
Golden Temple
Cover your head and remove shoes; dress modestly.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar · Maharashtra
Ajanta Caves
Closed on Mondays.
Konark · Odisha
Konark Sun Temple
Best Oct – Mar
Guwahati · Assam
Kamakhya Temple
Best Oct – Apr
Khajuraho · Madhya Pradesh
Khajuraho Temples
Best Oct – Mar
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar · Maharashtra
Ellora Caves
Closed on Tuesdays.
Madurai · Tamil Nadu
Meenakshi Temple
Best Oct – Mar
Rudraprayag · Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Temple
The temple opens around late April or May and closes around Diwali.
New Delhi · Delhi
Lotus Temple
Closed on Mondays.
Rishikesh · Uttarakhand
Rishikesh
Best Sep – Nov, Feb – May
Dharamshala · Himachal Pradesh
McLeod Ganj
Best Mar – Jun, Sep – Nov
Rameswaram · Tamil Nadu
Pamban Bridge
Best Oct – Apr
Old Goa · Goa
Basilica of Bom Jesus
Best Nov – Feb
Bodh Gaya · Bihar
Mahabodhi Temple
Best Oct – Mar
Uttara Kannada · Karnataka
Gokarna
Best Oct – Mar
Varanasi · Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi Ghats
Best Oct – Mar
Sri Sathya Sai · Andhra Pradesh
Lepakshi
Best Oct – Feb
Mulugu · Telangana
Ramappa Temple
Best Oct – Feb
Majuli · Assam
Majuli Island
Ferry timings depend on river levels; floods are common in the monsoon.
Tawang · Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang Monastery
A two-day drive from Assam over high passes; carry warm layers.
Kailashahar · Tripura
Unakoti
Best Oct – Mar
Auroville · Puducherry
Auroville Matrimandir
Visits inside the Matrimandir need advance booking.
Spiti · Himachal Pradesh
Key Monastery
Kunzum Pass closes in winter; the Kinnaur route stays open but can be blocked by landslides.
Gangtok · Sikkim
Rumtek Monastery
Best Mar – May, Oct – Dec
Kurukshetra · Haryana
Brahma Sarovar
Best Nov – Mar
Leh · Ladakh
Shanti Stupa
About 500 steps at high altitude — go slowly, or drive to the top.
West Sikkim · Sikkim
Pelling
Best Oct – Dec
Leh · Ladakh
Thiksey Monastery
Leh sits at about 3,500 m — rest on your first day to acclimatise.