3 Indian Holy Cities You Need to Visit
People are unanimous, that you will not be the same after traveling in India; If you’re searching for a life-changing trip, you need to visit those three holy cities in India to have a spiritual journey:
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1.Rishikesh
In India, the Ganges is a sacred river for the Hindus. From the beginning till the end, it is a place where people gather to purify themselves. And to close the cycle of life, in Varanasi (see 3) where we burn the deceased by cremation.
For your spiritual trip, Rishikesh will be your first stop. Rishikesh is a sacred city and a place of pilgrimage. It is located in the mountains. It is at the beginning of the Ganges, where the water is the purest.
There are many ashrams (even the one where the Beatles stayed!), temples and mountain walks to enjoy. It is a sightseeing city and a departure of many treks on the surroundings. Close to the mountains, the air is fresh and the landscape is green and beautiful. I recommend you drink coffee at the Ganga View Café to enjoy the beautiful sacred Ganga view.
For your spiritual journey, in Rishikesh, you should take advantage of the science and knowledge of the many Pilgrims in the area and take an ayurvedic consultation. Ayurveda is full of ancient principles to follow to have good health through treatments, massages, yoga, and diet. Every person has a unique recommendation as it depends on your Dosha which can be Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
2. Dharamshala
Dharamshala is the second city in your spiritual journey. Newt to the Himalayan borders and close to the edge of China.
It is a sacred city for the Buddhists. It is the place where the Dalai Lama lives. Situated on the mountains in the Northern part of India; we found there around 50 monasteries and 2000 monks. Thousands of Tibetansspecialty seek refuge in Mc Leod Ganj the area where Dharamshala is situated. There you can visit some of the many monasteries the region offers.
You can visit a meditation center where you can have a silent retreat. In a silent retreat, you cannot speak to be mindful of your thoughts and words. You can visit the Dalai Lama temple and maybe see him.
Enjoy a massage with the vibration of the Tibetan bowl and their unique melody which is known to heal your chakras.
Warm you up with a delicious and healthy typical meal, the Dhal Bhat, a Nepalese specialty. If you’re curious about Nepal, you can see more about it in my post about Kathmandu.
3. Varanasi
And the last but not the least, you should visit Varanasi.
It is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is a sacred city for Hinduism. Hindus are cremated in this holy city when they die.
You can cross the city the dead people on their road to be cremated, covered on white linen sheets on a gurney. You can be on a coffee and see in a lapse of time of 10 minutes, 3 of them. It is a part of the city, where life is linked to death.
You can walk around the street to discover the hidden gem of the architecture.
Continue to the Ghats and stop by the Dashashwamedh Ghat in the evening. From there you will see the religious ceremony where Hindus pray and purify themselves on the rivers of the Ganges.
In the morning have a boat ride on the Ganges and appreciate the sunrise on the Holy City without its full turmoil from the evening. Calm and peaceful you will see another side of Varanasi. Take a lassi at Lassi Blue Cafe.
For your last stop on your spiritual trip, you will feel like you are out of the world.
FIY: I will highly recommend not visiting Varanasi on your own or even traveling to India by yourself if you feel easily overwhelmed or mentally weak. You should be careful as this country is a lot (of love, of things to discover but also a lot of poverty, of things that as Europeans we never come across). That is why you can catch the “Indian syndrome”. If you feel overwhelmed and/or depressed do not hesitate to seek help or shorten your trip, your mental health is the priority.
India in a nutshell
Cost of life: the local currency is the Indian rupee; 1€= 88 rupees; 1$= 82 rupees and 1£=104 rupees (as of 13.06.2023 bear in mind that the exchange rate is constantly fluctuating; One basic meal = 380 rupees A bed on a hostel = 10 €
Traveling: you can use Uber almost everywhere or there as taxis are available as well as Rickshaws drivers (cheaper price but less comfortable). The subway is also a quick and cheaper way to get from one spot to another.
Visa: be aware that there are multiple types of Visa to go in India starting from 30 days to a year (single or multiple entries) which can vary from 25€ to more than 100€. Depending on your situation it is better to check your local government website for more information
Health: you should check your vaccine before you go and I will advise strongly having the vaccination for rabies if you plan to visit a rural place (as there are a lot of monkeys); keep in mind that the water is not drinkable in the country. Be careful of the mosquitoes and the heat and always wear something eary which covers you entirely (linen or cotton is good)
Security: it is forbidden to have a drone in India; As a woman, I kindly recommend wearing something that covers you daily and when visiting religious places, a scarf to cover the head. Please if you travel as a couple do not be publicly romantic as it is not in the local culture. Finally, there are some areas that you should avoid as there are some conflicts, you can see on your local government site where are the dangerous areas; As a woman avoid public transportation and it is better if you can have a guide and not travel alone as it can be easily dangerous.
Planning to visit the Indian capital ? Check my 10 things to do in New Delhi 🙂
