Top Religious Places in East India

Known For : Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Dashashwamedh Ghat Ganga Aarti, Varanasi

A city as old as time itself. A city that has stayed in place and watched as the world has turned and the tides have changed. A city that has stood the test of time for thousands of years. In the words of Mark Twain, "Older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, And looks twice as old as all of them put together." Varanasi, the city that is more than just the spiritual capital of India. The city which can be aptly described as a melting pot where both life and death come together. The city that you only need to visit once for it to stay with you forever.

Best Time: October to March

42 Varanasi Attractions

Known For : Banke Bihari Mandir Prem Mandir Radha Raman Temple

One of the oldest cities on the banks of Yamuna, Vrindavan is considered to be one of the most important places of pilgrimage for the devotees of Krishna. It is said that Lord Krishna had spent his childhood in Vrindavan. The name of the city has been derived from Vrinda (meaning basil) and van (meaning grove) which perhaps refer to the two small groves at Nidhivan and Seva Kunj. Since Vrindavan is considered to be a sacred place, a large number of people come here to abandon their worldly life.

Best Time: October to March

18 Vrindavan Attractions

Known For : Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple Dwarkadheesh Temple, Mathura Birla Mandir Mathura

India is a country of immense diversity in all fields of life, starting from religious to cultural to historical. Religion has been deeply ingrained into the Indian lifestyle for as far as one can remember, which is why India abounds in cities and towns all across the country which are devoted to fulfilling spiritual desires of people who come to visit these places from far and wide. Mathura is one such place which is considered one of the most sacred lands of India, and is filled to the brim at any point of the year with people looking to pursue spiritual enlightenment. Located around 150 kilometres from Delhi, Mathura is known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna and has many sites of both historical and religious significance.

Best Time: October to March

28 Mathura Attractions

Known For : Sela Pass Tawang Monastery Madhuri Lake

Located at a height of about 3048m, is known for many important and beautiful monasteries and is famous as the birth place of Dalai Lama.

Best Time: March - June; September - October

12 Tawang Attractions

Known For : Dhamek Stupa Sarnath Archaeological Site The Mahabodhi Society Temple

A quiet and spiritual town set amidst the otherwise densely populated state of Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is a city of historical marvel with numerous Buddhist stupas, museums, excavated ancient sites and beautiful temples that prove to be a source of immense wonder and astonishment to tourists due to their mystical and serene setting. Being just 10 kms from Varanasi, Sarnath is often flocked with devotees is the perfect pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus, alike.

Best Time: October to March

9 Sarnath Attractions

Known For : Mahabodhi Temple Great Buddha Statue Tibetan Refugee Market

One of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, Bodhgaya is a village in the state of Bihar. It was here under the Bodhi tree that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The place is bustling with pilgrims all through the year who come to pay their homage in the monasteries, shrines and temples. It also attracts tourists from India and abroad owing to its magnificent Buddha statue, the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi tree.

Best Time: October to March

26 Bodh Gaya Attractions

Known For : Shopping in Sualkuchi Hatisatra Sidheswar Devalaya

Sualkuchi is a small sleepy village that displays the culture and traditions of Assam in its best form. The weaving village is however, best known for its skills and craftsmanship for producing one of the best kinds of silk in the state and thus earning its self a nickname of 'Manchester of East'.

Best Time: November to March

8 Sualkuchi Attractions

Known For : Kamadgiri Gupt Godavari Ramghat

Chitrakoot is a small town situated in the north Vindhyan range. Legends have it that Chitrakoot was the place where Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana stayed for eleven and half of their fourteen years of exile.

Best Time: July to March

13 Chitrakoot Attractions

Known For : Ram Janmabhoomi Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya Kanak Bhawan

Assumed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, Ayodahya has been surrounded by controversy since about a decade now but yet, has so much colour and spirituality to see for its tourists taking form of various attractions here including Ram janmabhoomi and various other temples.

Best Time: October to March

17 Ayodhya Attractions

Known For : Raghurajpur Artist Village Sri Jagannath Puri Temple Puri Beach Markandeswara Temple

One of the four must-visit pilgrimage sites for Hindus (Char-Dham), Puri is a beach city with its most famous attraction as the Jagannath temple.

Best Time: July to March

29 Puri Attractions

Known For : Wildlife Sanctuary Ashtapad Jambudweep Jain Tirth

Hastinapur is an ancient town which was the centre to the glorious tales of the epic Mahabharata. Situated on the banks of Ganga near Meerut in UP, Hastinapur is also the birth place of three Jain Teerthankara, and it has become an important centre of pilgrimage for the Jains.

Best Time: October to March

7 Hastinapur Attractions

Known For : Lingaraj Temple Nandankanan Zoological Park Rajarani Temple

Bhubaneswar, the temple city of India, once known for its architecture and grand temples, is presently a thriving centre for commerce and business.

Best Time: October to March

37 Bhubaneswar Attractions

Known For : Prayag Kumbh Mela Triveni Sangam Khusro Bagh

A few kilometres away from Varanasi, Allahabad is reminiscent of all that is spiritual and sacred in Hinduism. The largest city in Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad is famous for being the meeting point of three rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. Built on the site of the ancient town of Prayag, Allahabad has, since time immemorial, held the largest Hindu gathering on the banks of the Sangam' the Maha Kumbh Mela. While Allahabad is often passed over for more travel-friendly cities, there is a lot to Allahabad besides just its religion. The places oozes heritage, history, and stories galore, and once you visit the place, you will definitely have seen Allahabad differently for having travelled to and through it.

Best Time: October to March

23 Prayagraj Attractions

Known For : Bomdila Monastery Apple Orchards Bomdila View Point

With majestic Himalayas bestowing their shadow, the beautiful town of Bomdila will offer you all an area in this terrain should.

Best Time: April to October

8 Bomdila Attractions

Known For : ISKCON Chandrodaya Temple Yoga Peeth Sri Chaitanya Math

Standing at the junction of river Ganga and Jalangi, Mayapur is a laidback city with lovely views and plenty of temples, making it ideal for multitudes of team.

Best Time: July to March

5 Mayapur Attractions

Known For : Vindhyavasini devi temple Kali Khoh temple Sita kund

Vindhyachal is a famous Hindu pilgrimage spot closer to Mirzapur and Varanasi and has several temples in the vicinity with their own interesting stories. This town is situated on the banks of holy river Ganga and people come here to take a dip into it to pray to Goddess Ganga.

Best Time: October to March

6 Vindhyachal Attractions

Known For : Umananda Temple Kamakhya Temple Guwahati Zoo

A sprawling city located beside the mighty Brahmaputra, Guwahati is the epitome of an amalgamation of ancient history and modernization. The largest city in all of Assam, Guwahati stands as the gateway to the Seven Sisters of North East India. A city shaped by time itself, Guwahati is home to age-old temples that take you centuries back to the pages of ancient history, but it also boasts of a cutthroat lifestyle and an electric nightlife, keeping up with the modern era of urbanisation and commercialization. The gushing Brahmaputra river carries with it untold tales from thousands of years past, and the peaceful ambience lingering in the city despite its modern lifestyle is one of the main reasons you should visit Guwahati if only to get a slice-of-life experience of the vivacious juxtaposition of the old and the new.

Best Time: October to April

34 Guwahati Attractions

Known For : Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math ISKCON Temple, Nabadwip Radha Rani Temple

Blanketed away in the commotion of West Bengal, Navadwipa - Mayapur is a cluster of nine islands located on the banks of Ganges. This place is one of those few religious shrines whose spirit of devotion is palpable.

Best Time: October to March

8 Navadvipa Attractions

Known For : Venuvana Japanese Stupa Vulture's Peak or Griddhakuta

Rajgir is town where the air that surrounds its beautiful sceneries carries hints of spirituality and vibrant hues of history with links with both Buddhism and Jainism.

Best Time: October to March

29 Rajgir Attractions

Known For : Sun Temple, Konark Chandrabhaga Beach ASI Museum

Konark, in the state of Orissa is renowned world over for the Sun Temple which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Annual dance festival and its beautiful sandy beaches.

Best Time: September to March

5 Konark Attractions

Known For : Hajo Powa Mecca Hayagriva Madhava Temple Kedareswar Temple

The ancient pilgrim centre of Hajo finds it uniqueness in being an attraction for three religions - Hindu, Muslims and Buddhists.

Best Time: July to March

5 Hajo Attractions

Known For : Surya Pahar Manas National Park Tukeswari

Assam is considered one of the top tourist spots in all of India, thanks to its stunning landscape, picturesque hill towns and all around ataraxy. One such hidden gem of the state is the district of Goalpara. Goalpara not only gives you a let-out from the regular monotony of life with its natural wilderness, but it is also a popular pilgrimage place owing to its umpteen number of temples and rich culture. Stupas and monuments are the key highlights here. The place also offers myriad trekking, rock climbing and other adventure activities.

Best Time: October to May

11 Goalpara Attractions

Known For : Tamluk Chandrakona Jora Masjid

In the interiors of West Bengal is yet another treasure- Midnapore town or Medinipur, as it is locally known. Midnapore combines the beauty of India's multi religion culture with the exuberance of ancient history.

Best Time: October to February

11 Midnapore Attractions

Known For : Salugara Monastery ISKCON Temple, Siliguri Mahananda Weir Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated on the banks of the river Mahananda, Siliguri is a tiny hill station nestled in between the Himalayan foothills and the Doar region of West Bengal. Also known as the Gateway to North East India, Siliguri serves mainly as a base for tourists to camp in before moving out to explore nearby tourist attractions such as Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Gangtok. However, Siliguri itself is a perfectly good holiday destination, with sufficient things to see and do.

Best Time: Throughout the year

19 Siliguri Attractions

Known For : Nalanda University Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall The Great Stupa

The most popular Mahavihara of the ancient times, a significant Buddhist seat of academic excellence and a modest pilgrim center, all wrapped in a wisp of spirituality, Nalanda continues to be an equally enriching location in the present. It offers vibrant substance of spirituality, history, culture, architecture, and tourism.

Best Time: October to March

8 Nalanda Attractions

Known For : Gandhi Ghat Patna Sahib Gurudwara Srikrishna Science Centre

Prospering along the southern banks of river Ganges and set in the conglomerated backdrop of rich ancient heritage and a glorious historical past, Patna boasts of a dominating presence in history and enjoys the distinction of being one of the oldest cities in the world. Originally called as Pataliputra, Patna is currently a hot-bed for the culminating political fortunes. In addition to being one of the major and most popular tourist destinations in India- owing to its plethora of artefacts, monuments and grand architectural heritage which provide a peek in the bygone era, this capital city of Bihar also holds significant religious and spiritual importance. It is a gateway to pilgrimage sites of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.

Best Time: October to March

41 Patna Attractions

Known For : Dhauli Shanti Stupa Ashoka Rock Edicts Dhabaleswar and Bahirangeswar temple

Dhauli is a small town 8 Km away south of Bhubaneswar, located on the bank of river Daya and holds great significance for the followers of lord Buddha. Dhauli is said to be the witness of the reform of Ashoka's character.

Best Time: July to February

3 Dhauli Attractions

Known For : Nathula Pass MG Road, Gangtok Tsomgo Lake

Extremely alluring, pleasantly boisterous and wreathed in clouds - Gangtok, the capital city of the Sikkim can also give you a spectacular view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, at a distant skyline. The pristine hill station nestled in mountains and clouds is also a base for a whole lot of trekkers to the Himalayan mountain ranges. The mesmerising prismatic beauty and the beautiful winding hill roads are even more breathtaking if seen from a bird’s eye view in a cable car.

Best Time: Throughout the year

34 Gangtok Attractions

Known For : The Sagar Beach Ganga Sagar Mela Kamil Muni Temple

Sagardwip is a small island, a part of the Sunderbans group of islands. Sagardwip is at the confluence of the holy river Ganga (Ganges) and the Bay of Bengal, making it one of the most popular religious havens of the country.

Best Time: October to March

7 Sagardwip Attractions

Known For : Shopping in Hailakandi Siddyashar Bari Sibmandir Pach Pirr Mukam

Hailakandi is a beautiful destination nestled in the heart of Barak Valley of Assam. It is a town with several legends attached to it and serves as a melting pot of various cultures and traditions, all existing at one place in great harmony with each other.

Best Time: October to March

3 Hailakandi Attractions