India is a country popular for its pilgrimage sites. With multiple religions that coexist here, we also have many religious places that are visited by travellers around the world. When train travel is the most common mode of transport in India, there are some religious sites that are often visited by trains.
Here’s a list of the most visited Indian pilgrimage destinations by train.
Varanasi
Also called as Kashi or Banaras, Varanasi is one of the holiest places in India. Located on the banks of the Ganges, a visit to Varanasi is often associated with salvation or moksha. It is also popularly believed that dying in this holy land helps one attain moksha.
Not to miss in Varanasi: Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnika Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, a dip in the Ganges, Ganga aarti, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Maa Annapurna Temple, Kaal Bhairav Temple, Durga Kund Temple, Ramnagar Fort & Museum, shopping at Godaulia road
Fares Start At:
- ₹385 (From Delhi)
- ₹200 (From Agra)
- ₹580 (From Mumbai)
- ₹810 (From Bangalore)
- ₹360 (From Kolkata)
Allahabad
Not very far from Varanasi, Allahabad is another city that is known for its pilgrimage sites. It is one of the oldest cities in India, and is popular for Kumbh Mela which sees hundreds of millions of pilgrims who visit the place to take a dip at Sangam which is the confluence of three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.
Not to miss in Allahabad: Kumbh Mela, Triveni Sangam, Ardh Kumbh Mela, Hanuman Temple, Shankar Viman Mandapam, Alopi Devi Temple.
Fares Start At:
- ₹340 (From Delhi)
- ₹140 (From Varanasi)
- ₹140 (From Lucknow)
- ₹545 (From Mumbai)
- ₹140 (From Kanpur)
Agra
Agra is not only famous for its iconic Taj Mahal, the city is also one of the best pilgrim destinations in India. There are several temples and other religious centres in Agra that are often visited by pilgrims across the nation.
Not to miss in Agra: Balkeshwar Temple, Kailash Temple, Mahakal and Mahakali Temple, Mankameshwar Temple, Prithvinath Temple, Rajeshwar Temple, Shyam Ji Maharaj Temple, Shyamji Mandir, Rawli Maharaj Temple, Soami Bagh Temple
Fares Start At:
- ₹85 (From Delhi)
- ₹105 (From Jaipur)
- ₹555 (From Mumbai)
- ₹300 (From Chandigarh)
- ₹320 (From Jalandhar)
- ₹180 (From Kanpur)
Mathura
Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, is also among the top pilgrimage sites in India among the Hindu community. The place has a lot of religious places related to the life of Lord Krishna, making it a favourite among the believers.
Not to miss in Mathura: Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple, Dwarkadhish Temple, Birla Mandir, Vishram Ghat, Rangji Temple, Jama Masjid, Radha Kund, Kusum Sarovar, Radha Vallabh Mandir
Fares Start At:
- ₹75 (From Delhi)
- ₹490 (From Mumbai)
- ₹70 (From Faridabad)
- ₹50 (From Agra)
- ₹125 (From Jaipur)
- ₹245 (From Chandigarh)
Jhansi
Though Jhansi is popular as a historical site, there are some religious attractions here that bring thousands of devotees to this city each year.
Not to miss in Jhansi: St. Jude’s Shrine, Maha Lakshmi Temple, Ganesh Mandir, Shiva Temple, Hanuman Temple, Yellow Church, Sacred Heart Church, Roman Catholic Cathedral Church
Fares Start At:
- ₹495 (From Mumbai)
- ₹160 (From Delhi)
- ₹110 (From Kanpur)
- ₹65 (From Gwalior)
- ₹95 (From Agra)
- ₹195 (From Lucknow)
Tirupati
Tirupati is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in South India. The place is famous for the Sri Venkateswara Temple that is the richest and the second most visited temple in the world.
Not to miss in Tirupati: Sri Venkateswara Temple, Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, Srikalahasti Temple, Kanipakam, Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple
Fares Start At:
- ₹75 (From Chennai)
- ₹145 (From Bangalore)
- ₹220 (From Hyderabad)
- ₹295 (From Mumbai)
- ₹220 (From Secunderabad)
Katra
Katra in Jammu & Kashmir is a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus. Interestingly, the destination is also a trekking site as it takes a 13.5km trek to reach the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple here.
Not to miss in Katra: Vaishno Devi Temple, Bhairo Baba Temple, Shiv Khori, Dhansar Temple, Raghunath Temple, Dera Baba Banda, Ranbireshwar Temple
Fares Start At:
- ₹130 (From Jammu)
- ₹335 (From Delhi)
- ₹690 (From Mumbai)
- ₹160 (From Amritsar)
Haridwar
Haridwar is among the most visited pilgrimage sites in India. This city has its name mentioned in several Hindu texts, and is also a gateway to the Chardham Yatra that includes Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
Not to miss in Haridwar: Har ki Pauri, Chandi Devi Temple, Mansa Devi Temple, Maya Devi Temple, Ram Mandir, Doodhadhari Barfani Temple, Sureshvar Devi Temple, Bharat Mata Mandir, Sapt Rishi Ashram, Sapt Sarovar, Jairam Ashram, Parad Shivling
Fares Start At:
- ₹180 (From Delhi)
- ₹595 (From Kolkata)
- ₹650 (From Mumbai)
- ₹285 (From Lucknow)
Ujjain
Located on the banks of the river Kshipra in Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is a holy city also known by other names such as Avantika, Avantikapuri, Avanti and Ujjaini. This pilgrimage site is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and also one among the Saptapuris that are believed to grant moksha or salvation.
Not to miss in Ujjain: Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling, Harsiddhi Mata Temple, Bade Ganesh Mandir, Chintamani Ganesh, ISCKON Temple, Navgrah Shani Temple, Bhartrihari Caves, Gadhkalika Mandir, Kalbhairav Temple, Mangalnath Temple
Fares Start At:
- ₹380 (From Mumbai)
- ₹415 (From Delhi)
- ₹100 (From Indore)
- ₹525 (From Hyderabad)
- ₹55 (From Bhopal)
Madurai
Madurai in Tamil Nadu is a popular pilgrimage destination in India. The city also has its mentions in several Green, Arab and Roman ancient texts. Madurai is also known as the Temple City, and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Not to miss in Madurai: Meenakshi Amman Temple, Koodal Alagar Temple, Thiruparankundram, Alagar Temple, Pazhamudir Solai
Fares Start At:
- ₹180 (From Chennai)
- ₹260 (From Bangalore)
- ₹505 (From Hyderabad)
- ₹745 (From Delhi)
- ₹620 (From Mumbai)
