Kailash Kund Yatra is annually held from Bhaderwah in Jammu and Kashmir to the abode of Vasuki Nag (Serpent Vasuki associated with Shiva). Kailash Kund Yatra 2026 is from September 3 to September 11. It is annually held from Krishna Paksha Saptami in Bhadrapad month (August – September). The yatra begins on the seventh day during the waning phase of moon in Bhadrapad and ends on the no moon day in the month as per traditional calendar followed in North India. Located at an altitude of 14,500 feet, Kailash Kund is a crater lake and remains frozen for greater part of the year. The lake defreeze during the yatra period. A holy dip in the Kailash Kund  helps in redemption of sins. It is also believed that the holy bath during the Bhadrapad month helps in fulfilling wishes. Kailash Kund is located near Ram Tung, which is around 215 km from Jammu city. The 22-km Kailash pilgrimage begins from the Shari Vasuki Nag Ji Temple at Gatha Bhaderwah town in Doda District of Jamm...

Kanwar Yatra Dates based on traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India. In 2026, Kanwar Mela and Yatra begins on July 30 and it ends on August 28 - Shravan Purnima. Kavad Yatra is today of great religious importance in India. In the Hindi Month of Shravan (July – August) millions of Kanwarias, devotees of Lord Shiva, from Indian states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh make a journey to Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to collect ‘Gangajal’ (holy water from the Ganges) for anointing the Shivling at their respective villages and homes.  The holy water they collect from River Ganga is used to bathe Shiva Lingam on Amavasya day in Shravan month or on the Mas Shivratri day. Shravan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva and most people observe a fast on Mondays in Shravan month. The name Kanwarias comes from the pole the yatris carry called ‘Kanwar’ on their shoulders. Pots with Ganga...

Tungnath Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva and is located in Uttarakhand and is around a 3-hour trek from Chopta, which is on the road between Badrinath and Kedarnath. Tungnath shrine is the second temple in the Panch Kedar Pilgrimage and is located at an altitude of 12,000 ft the highest among the Panch Kedar temples but is the easiest to trek. It is believed that the legs of the bull form of Shiva appeared at Tungnath. The naturally formed ‘arm’ or Swayambhu Bhuja of Shiva is worshipped here. The glory of the Tungnath temple is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Shiva tells Parvati that whoever has darshan and seeks the blessings at Tungnath attains spiritual salva­tion irrespective of where he dies. Another legend states that Vishnu got his Sudarshan Chakra after meditating here. Like the other Panch Kedar temples, Tungnath was also built by the Pandavas. In a calendar year, the Tungnath temple is only open from April to October. The temple remains closed du...

The annual Pandarpur Yatra (Wari) to the famous Vithoba Temple at Pandharpur in Maharashtra from Dehu and Alandi attracts thousands of people and pilgrims known as warkaris. Pandharpur Yatra 2027 date on Ashadi Ekadashi is on July 14. As per 2027 schedule, the date of commencement of Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi from Dehu is June 26. Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi from Alandi begins on June 27, 2027. Pilgrims follow the Shri Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi from Dehu and Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi from Alandi, which is a 21-day travel by foot to Pandharpur. The Wari will have complete stay in Pune on June 29, 2027. The Pandarpur Yatra is a pilgrimage to the Vithoba Temple , also known as Vitthal Rukmini Temple , which is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Pandharpur Ashadhi Ekadasi Wari Yatra has been taking place for more than 700 years. The main Pandarpur Yatra starts from the Sant Tukaram Temple at Dehu in Pune District. The warkaris or pilgrims follow the Tukaram...

The annual Amarnath Yatra is one of the most famous annual religious pilgrimages of Hindus. Amarnath Yatra 2026 date is July  to August 28. Thousands of devotees travel to have darshan of Holy Shivling at Shri Amarnathji cave in south Kashmir Himalayas in India. The Amarnath Yatra of 2026 will end on August 28 on Raksha Bandhan day. The Yatra stands cancelled. The cave shrine is noted for the formation of a natural Shiva Lingam. The natural ‘ice lingam’ is formed by the ice droplets from the rooftop of the vast cave. The registration of yatris (pilgrims), on both Pahalgam and Baltal routes, will be through designated branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank all over India and online. This year the cave shrine can be accessed from Baltal and the traditional Pahalgam route. The Baltal route is shorter but the climb is steep. The traditional Pahalgam route passes through Sheshnag and Panchtarni – both are important mythological places. The Yatra concludes on August 11 – the S...

Pandharpur Kartik Ekadasi Yatra to Lord Vitthal Temple in Pandharpur takes place on the Ekadasi day during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Kartik Month (October – November) as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Maharashtra . Pandharpur Kartik Ekadasi Yatra 2026 is on November 21. Pandharpur Yatra on Prabodhini Ekadasi is undertaken by staunch Lord Vitthal devotees and is the second most popular Yatra after the Ashadi Ekadasi Pandharpur Yatra (June – July). Pandharpur Yatra in Kartik Month begins on the first day of Marathi Kartik month and ends on the Purnima or full moon day in Kartik Mahina. The most important day during the period is the Prabodhini Ekadasi day. Pandharpur Kartik Ekadasi Yatra and the famous Ashadi Ekadasi Wari Yatra are interconnected through the famous Chatur Maas – the cosmic sleep of Lord Vishnu.  It is believed that after Ashadi Ekadasi Wari Yatra Lord Vitthal (Lord Vishnu) goes into his cosmic slumber and wak...

Alandi Yatra is a pilgrimage to the Alandi in Pune – the place where Saint Dnyaneshwar attained Samadhi. Alandi Yatra 2026 date is December 4. It is performed on the eleventh day of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik Month as per traditional calendar followed in Maharashtra . The famous Utpatti Ekadasi is observed on this day. During this period dindis from various villages from Pune and nearby districts arrive at the temple. Devotees walk nearly 100 kms to reach the shrine. Women carry Tulsi plant on their head. Food offerings are made for the devotees by ashrams and organizations on the occasion. Thousands of pilgrims arrive at Alandi on this day and pay their respects to Saint Dnyaneshwar. The pilgrims carry a Murti of Saint Dnyaneshwar on a Palkhi (Palanquin). Devotees take bath in the Indrayani River to wash away the sins committed and to start afresh on the path of liberation or Moksha.

Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra in Himachal Pradesh is the annual trek to Shrikhand Mountain which is a swayambhu Shivling. The annual yatra is of great importance in Hinduism because the mountain is the abode of Shiva and Parvati. And the mountain itself is a natural miracle. Shrikhand Mahadev is a naturally formed Shivling of 17 meters. It is located on the Shrikhand Mahadev peak which is 6,400 meter high. Shrikhand Mahadev Miracle Snow never falls on the Shrikhand Mahadev even when the nearby peaks are covered in snow. The Shivling reflects sunlight in such a way that all the seven colors play on it. Sometimes it seems to be violet, red, yellow, blue or green. Kalpa town in Himachal Pradesh is around 13 km from Reckong Peo. The view of the Shivling from Kalpa reveals its most miraculous aspect. Shrikhand Mahadev Pilgrimage The annual religious Parikrama of the Shivling attracts scores of devotees – this is held during Janmashtami – the Chhadi yatra – the journey carrying the h...

Teerth yatra is an important part of Hindu tradition. Teerth means a sacred place which helps a person in redemption of sins. Yatra means journey. Teerth in Hindu tradition is divided into three the first is the Nitya Teerth,  second is Bhagavadiya Teerth and  third is Sant Teerth. Nitya Teerths are those sacred places that existed from the beginning of time. They always exist – before creation and after creation. During the delusion, the Nitya Teerth is not affected. They remain as the same during each cycle of creation. The three Nitya Teerths are Kashi, Kailash and Mansarovar. All these are associated with Shiva. Apart from these three, Ganga River , Narmada River , Godavari River and Kaveri River are also considered as Nitya Teerth. Bathing in these holy rivers has always been considered as a means to redemption of sins and for attaining moksha. 

In Hindu religion, a place of pilgrimage is a tirtha or tirthasthana. The act of going on a pilgrimage is tirtha yatra or teertha. The pilgrim is known as tirthayatri. Hindus believe that the sacred space or temple, which is the tirthsthan, has the presence of divine power. Going on a thirthyatra is considered highly auspicious and the aim or end result of it is moksha – liberation from the endless cycle of birth and death. Literally, a tirtha means a shallow area in a river that can be crossed easily. In fact, some of the most popular tirthas in Hindu religion are located along, including Varanasi (Kashi or Benares) the most popular and supreme Hindu Tirtha. Symbolically crossing the river and reaching a tirtha is leaving behind the materialistic world and entering into the spiritual world. At the tirtha, a pilgrim seeks moksha and redemption from sins. In fact, many people go on a ‘thirthyatra’ when they are no longer able to carry the burden of the sins committed. ...

Panchkroshi Yatra, also known as Panchkoshi Parikrama, is annually held for five days in Vaishakh month (April – May). Panchkroshi Yatra in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh attracts thousands of devotees. The greatness of the Parikrama is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. The journey is essentially a visit to temples and sacred places associated with Hindu God Shiva in Ujjain . Skanda Purana states that the five day Panchkroshi yatra bestows greater merit than the yatra of Varanasi . The yatra lasts for five days. It covers a distance of 122 km. Passes through the four sacred corners in Ujjain . First day of Panchkroshi Yatra in Ujjain The Panchkroshi parikrama starts from Nagchandreshwar Temple at Mahakaleshwar after a holy bath in the Kshipra River . The journey proceeds towards Pingleshwar Temple . The first day journey ends here and it is also the night halt. A total distance of 12 km is covered on the day. Second day of Panchkroshi Yatra in Ujjain The second d...

Char Dham are the sacred temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu or his incarnations (avatars). The four sacred places are Badrinath, Rameshwaram, Puri, and Dwarka. The Char Dhams are located in the North, South, East and West of India. Since the four sacred places are spread across the country, the Char Dham ‘tirth yatra’ is known as the Maha Parikrama. It must be noted here that there is another famous Char Dham yatra that is the Char Dham in the Himalayas . Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri located in Uttarakhand. These temple remains only for six months. The Char Dham of Vishnu are the four pilgrim sites that most Hindus wish to go when they decide upon a tirtha yatra. In North India , in Badrinath in Uttarakhand, Narayana is worshipped in the form of Lord Vishnu. In West, in Dwarka in Gujarat , Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Lord Krishna. In South, in Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Lord Rama. I...

Budha Amarnath Yatra is annually held in Shravan month to the famous Swami Budha Amarnath Ji Temple dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. The temple is around 25 km northeast of Poonch town in Jammu and Kashmir . The yatra begins on the 3rd day (August 15) of the waxing phase of moon in Shravan month. The important rituals are performed on Shravan Purnima day. In 2026, Budha Amarnath Yatra is from August 15 to August 28, 2026. Budha Amarnath Temple is famous for a naturally formed white Shivling. The main temple is carved into a single rock. The temple is located on the confluence of rivers Nallah Gagri and Pulsta Nadi. Four holy springs also rise near the temple and devotees perform holy bath in the springs. The chhari mubarak journey to the temple begins three days before Raksha Bandhan from Dashnami Akhara Poonch.

Thousands of Hindu devotees and adventurous mountain trekkers partake in the annual Adi Kailash Yatra to have a glimpse of the formation of the Sanskrit letter ‘ ॐ ’ (om or aum) from snow on the Om Parvat. In 2026, the Adi Kailash Yatra conducted by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) from June 10, 2026 to September 14, 2026. The booking is underway.  Mount Adi Kailash, popularly known as Chhota Kailash and Baba Kailas, is one of the abodes of Lord Shiva in the Himalayas . The annual yatra takes place from June to September. Mount Adi Kailash and Om Parvat are at an attitude of 2,000 to 14,000 feet and are located in Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand in India . Another major attraction during the annual pilgrimage is the Parvati Sarovar (Tal) or Parvati Lake or Gauri Kund at the foot of Adi Kailash. Other spiritual attractions during the Yatra include the snow-clad peaks of Annapurna Mountain , Kali River , and Narayan Ashram. For nature enthusiasts, the ...

Waari is the term used to refer holy pilgrimage in Maharashtra and the word is synonymous with Pandharpur Yatra to the famous Lord Vitthal Temple . Waari is undertaken annually by Varkaris in the Maharashtrian month of Ashadha and it culminates on the Ekadashi during the waxing phase of moon in the month. It is a three week long pilgrimage from Dehu and Alandi near Pune to Pandharpur, which is around 450 km away. But who were the first warkaris and when did the Pandharpur Wari Tradition begin. The followers of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) never bothered about dates and why would they bother, when their sole aim is to understand Brahman – the timeless – and merge with it. Same is the case with the Pandharpur Wari tradition and no one knows exactly when the first Pandharpur Yatra took place so many people roughly say it is thousand years old. Some believe it was the parents of Sant Dnyaneshwar who undertook the first pilgrimage in the 13th century. Sant Dnyaneshwar to...

The annual Pandharpur Yatra carrying Dnyaneshwar Palkhi from Alandi, near Pune, to Pandharpur Vithoba Temple is attended by millions of devotees. In 2027, the date of Sri Dnyaneshwar Palkhi Sohala Prasthan from Alandi is on June 27. Ashadi Ekadasi is on July 14, 2027. The schedule of Palki in Pune is given below. Considered to be one of the world’s largest pilgrimages, the varkaris (Pilgrims) from Alandi follow the palanquin carrying the silver images of the Padukas (Sandals) of Saint Dnyaneshwar. The pilgrimage known as Waari in Marathi ends on the Ashadi Ekadasi. Sant Dnyaneshwar, also known as Jnanadev or Jnaneshwar revolutionized Marathi bhakti literature and at the age of fifteen wrote Jnaneswari – a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita which has been a household text in Maharashtrian homes for centuries. Lord Vithoba is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is worshipped mainly in Maharashtra and in some parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The most important shrine of ...

The annual Pandarpur Yatra to the Pandharpur Vithoba Temple starts with the Shri Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Prasthan from Dehu in Pune District of Maharashtra. In 2027, the date of the beginning of Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi from Dehu is June 26. Pandharpur Yatra ends on Ashadi Ekadasi on July 14, 2027. Warkaris (pilgrims) follow the Palki of Sant Tukaram to the Vithoba Temple . This is one of the most popular pilgrimages in Marathi culture and people from all walks of life participate in the Yatra. The Palkhi or Palanquin contains the Padukas or foot prints of Sant Tukaram. In Spite of visiting Varanasi, Gaya and Dwaraka none may surpass the reverence created by Pandharpur. (Sant Tukaram) On the second day of the yatra, the palki of Tukaram Maharaj arrives at Akurdi Vitthal temple and halts there for the night. On the third day of the yatra, the palki halts at Nivdungya Vithoba temple at Nana Peth, Pune. On the fourth day, the palki stays in the Pune city. Complet...

Girnar Parikrama is a unique annual religious walk to the temples located in Junagadh forest in western Gujarat in India . Girnar Parikrama 2026 is from November 20 to November 24. More than 100,000 pilgrims participate in this 36-km religious walk through tough mountainous terrain and forest. Girnar Parikrama begins on the Ekadasi day during the waxing phase of moon or Shukla Paksha of Kartik month and five days later on Kartik Purnima day. People from different caste and community walk in unison in this unique Parikrama, which begins from Dudheshwar Temple at Bhavnath in Junagadh. The first part of the trek includes passing through dense forest and climbing a hill and coming down it. The first spiritual spot is the Zina Bava Ni Madhi and Chandra-Mauleshwar Temple , which is about 12 km from Bhavnath. The next temples in the Parikrama include a Hanuman Temple and Suraj Kund (pond) at Malvela which is 8 km from Zina Bava Ni Madhi. The next trek from ...

At Kalpeshwar Temple in Uttarakhand, Hindu God Shiva is worshipped as Jateshwar. The matted locks or hair of Shiva is worshipped in this temple which is part of the Panch Kedar Yatra.  Kalpeshwar is the last visited shrine during the pilgrimage to five temples of Shiva in the Kedarkhand region. This is a cave temple. The trek to Kalpeshwar is steep from Helang, which is around 102 km from Rudraprayag. Kalpeshwar Temple has the naturally appeared swayambhu jata or hair of Shiva in the shape of a protruding rock. In the temple premises there is a small stream which emerges out of a rock and water collects in a rocky depression to form the Amrit Kund or Nectar pond. This temple in Panch Kedar yatra is open throughout the year, unlike other temples which are closed during hard winter season (November to March). Legend has it that Indra worshipped Shiva here after he lost Indralok or heaven due to a curse of Sage Durvasa. Indra regained his position soon...

Manimahesh Yatra is a pilgrimage to the sacred Manimahesh Lake in the Bharmour Region of Chamba District in Himachal Pradesh. Manimahesh Yatra 2026 begins on September 4 ends on September 19. The holy Kailash Peak – the abode of Lord Shiva – is reflected on the still waters of the oval-shaped Manimahesh Lake . A four-faced marble Shivling is worshipped here. When is Manimahesh Yatra Observed? The pilgrimage is undertaken annually on the Sri Krishna Janmashtami and ends on Radhashtami. The official yatra commences with the start of ‘Chhari’ from the  Lakshminarayan   Temple  in Chamba town. The state government of Himachal Pradesh conducts the yatra. Many devotees undertake the pilgrimage during July to September. Those devotees who prefer to avoid the crowd undertake the journey in May, June and October. But this does not have the government support. Importance of the Yatra The first rays of the sun in the early morning hours reflect on the Kailash...