🖤❣️💛Tour India. 

A - Introduction to Indian Pilgrimage Places. 

1. 108 Divya-Desham (Narayan Temples) 

2. 108 + 12 Shiva-Temples

3. 108 Kali-Temples

4. Mathura-Vrindavan, Krishna Birthplace. 

B - Plan Your India-Tour.

C - Easy Travel Tips.

D - Our Tours/ Tour Programs.

E - Good WebPages for Traveling & more. 

Pilgrimage / Holy Places. Cultural sides. Nature /mountain highlights. Sightseeing. Historic Places & more. 

Spiritual Places in India r at "every corner". All places, villages, towns cities, have their own old deities, temples, sages, traditions & stories.

Rivers are sacred, trees, mountains. Cows - for sure🌺😃-, not to forget!

Indians themselves do pilgrimage to many of thousand spots they have. And all or any of them, can liberate u. Daily puja (puja = worship) in the home or local temple as well as ones work place r important as well as your duty (your job, your family), as well as pilgrimages.

God, spiritual people, spiritual practices & spirituality in all is so much included into Indian people' s life's so that it becomes very powerful & natural!

Here, a list to Pilger to holy places! :
1. Places where God personally appeared.
e.g. Mathura-Vrindavan and it's whole area as the place where God Krishna grew up. His childhood pasttimes/"games" & his herding cows, playing the flute.

The 108 Divya-Desham:

Divya-Desham -108 places where Lord Vishnu is personally manifested as a black-basalt God-statue & worshipped there. These temples are 1000nds of years maintained by the daily worship by priests (pandit). The most popular one is Tirupati, where daily up to & more than 100.000 visitors come (it's open 24h daily). You can bring your passport along-tourist get an other entry. And there is some special security in the Tirupati temple, due to most of its inner sanctum and dome are made of pure gold! It's the gold richest temple in the world. 

The other Divya-Desham are spread all over India. And most of them are quite quite, where very few visitors may come during the day. Three if these temples are situated in Thanjavur, SouthIndia, where the "Grant Temple" Brihadeshwar, and the Saraswati Mahal/palace are popular & impressive sight seeing attractions.  -Many (14-20) of the Divya-Desham are situated in the area of Kumbakonam in the Indian state Tamil Nadu. Taxis are quite cheap and this area, so one can book a cap and go around in the landscape. (see opening timing of the temples before you go). 

Divya means translated "Divine" and desham means  the eternal abode of the Lord manifested. In some of the paces, you will feel like you entered an eternal realm, where time stops. Like you enter other dimension of eternity, but also of love and security of God. And that you yourself are eternal!!🖤🖤🌺🌺🌺

3. 108 Kali-Peeth

The places of the direct appearance of mother Kali.

Up: Mother Kali worship at OmKaali Temple in Indore. Beginning Prayers, Cutting a coconut, and Aarti (Song, Drums and offering the Sacred Fire-lamps*) r displayed. 

Kali-Temples/named "Shakti-Peeths". Many r situated on mountain peaks + deep forests.

Publicly, mostly known by the name "Shakti-peeths" and counted in number 64 (64Shakti-peeths). According to Kali-Puran they r 108 total in number, hence 108 is the very sacred Indian number that is used for Mantra-counting & puja.

Mother Kali is the divine Mother, who gives love and protection. She is a great "kshatriyani" (warrior), and is has perfection in all arts and all weapons. The mythological story tells, that every God awarded her a special weapon so that she can kill the great demon "Mahish-Asur".

Worshipped for protection, health, power, good lover, child-giving and more, Mother Kali is worship poed throughout the year!!

Complete List of 108Peeths: u can check online/ research for it. 

The Story: Girl/Goddess Sati was married to Lord Shiva. Very disappointed that her family not accepts Shiva, she committed suicide in front of her father, gd amily and other Gods.

Shiva reached the spot. He was so sad, he took her body and flew up in the sky. The earth was trembling under destruction (Shiva is the God of Destruction). The Gods prayed to Vishnu to stop Shivas sadness. Vishnu took his weapon, a sharp spinning disc (Sudarshan a) and cut Sati's body into 64 pieces*. That pieces fell in different locations on earth and inherent the powers of the Goddess (see Video). And really, if u r in these spots, u can feel immense power and the presence of the Goddess!

(Later Sato took another birth and was married again as Kali/Durga to Shiv'.)

* There are different numbers mentioned in different texts, that the number oof Shakti Peeths/Shakti Places are 54, 64 or 108. Mostly logic and aslo proofed, is that there are 108 Kali Peetgs across India and India's before countries like Pakistan and SriLanka.

In other countries around the world u can also find Kali powerful worship or ritial places. After the Christian martyrdom those places are named "witch" places for Jalis/the Goddess's temples. And mostly Devils Perth for Shiva places (Shiva and Devil both carry a Trident, in Sanskrit "Trishul"), although Shiva is not considered bad. His name means 'the auspicious One', and he is a great teacher and wellwishers of humanity!!!

Mostly Kali/or Shaktipeeth are situated on mountain peak or inside the forest. In Germany, Hexentanzplatz, Broken, and other places names as "Hexen-..." in Elbsandsteingebirge, Zittauer Gebirge, and anywhere else. 

Following video is in Hindi. But it's a good one because there is a lot of Culture and People shown in it:

Some Important Goddess Temples:

1. North India:

Katyayani Temple (Vrindavan, U.P.)

Kalka Ji (Delhi) - a very old temple in Delhi, manyvery devoted people come daily. Easy to reach from Lotus temple/Iskcon. 

Jwala-Devi - Jwala means fire/"the eating fire". At this temple 7 gas flames come out of the Himalayan mountains, and are worshipped. 

Baglamukhi

3km from JwalaDevi. This is called a "Siddha-Perth" /Place of Mystic Powers/Perfections. This place is commonly visited for big Prayers and Protection. Protection fire-rituals are done 24h every day. Many priests are there and u can get your own worship get done (priest will say prayers and mantras in Sanskrit. Shortly Ganesh, JKali and Shiva and Fire God are prayed to, after u offer rice and grains into the sacred fire while speaking a Mantra at each time.

Many Indian People come to pray for security, good buisness, good marriage or good health of their children. 

You will feel a lot of peace, security, power and harmony while entering this place!!! 

Brijeshvari -also just 5km from before mentioned temple by car!!! 

Vaishnav-devi - high up in the Himalayan mountains. Only in summer visitable due to snow and ice. It is Devi in her threefold Form, - as Saraswati in Morning, Laxmi during the Day, and Mother Kali at night. The temple is inside a mountain cave! You can watch many things online. I would recommend more to visit other places due to th s place is very far in the Himalayas.

Kolkata-Kali and Kali-Ghat in Calcutta, Bengal. 

2.South India:

Meenakshi Temple (Madurai) - very famous and huge temple architecture and temple compound. One of most big temple ground, many pillar halls and painting on the walls. Temple lake inside. You can go to see the Shiva smurti, but for Meenakshi darshan u need a Hindu certificate!! 

Kanya Kumari (Tamil Nadu) - the South Peak of India's subcontinent at the ocean. Very beautiful place. Indians visit during their holidays. 

Bhagavati Amman (Kerala)

3. Nepal

Guhyeshvari (Kathmandu) - just a 10 minute walk from Pashuoati temple. Pashupai t. is a

4. 108 Shiva Temples (108 Shiva-Lingam) 
E.g. Kashinath (Benares/Varanasi) or Omkareshwar (Ujjain). They r all over India. Special significance is given to 12 Jyotir-Lingam. Jyoti means bright light from the universe, and is meant to enlighten your mind.

up: huge ancient temple. U get an idea what it would feel like walking in it. 

According to the certain God's temple, the ornamentation and architecture will change. Shiva Temples will show Shiva stories painted or scared into the stone. Whereas Narayan temples will show stories related to Narayan, Saraswati or Goddess temple of the respected deity as well.. 

5.Sacred Trees:

As in all other World Cultures around the Earth, medical plants and trees are considered sacred, as the personification of a Goddess that will heal or cure u.

Here, a few well-known Indian trees that r publicly worship as per Indian thousand year old rituals mentioned in Old Indian texts/scribds:

Banyan tree.

-representing the family line (in Sankrit "Vamsh" 

Pipal* tree. (*pronounce Peepal) 

Worshiped on Thursday for representing the Guru/Teacher. 

Worshipped on Saturday nights for casting away evil, the bad effects of Rahu and more. 

This tree can be worshipped any time in 24hours. Not like in temples, where u have to follow the hours!!!

Banana Tree. 

Worshipped on Thursday by ladies to beget a male or good healthy kid. Or for good health in general. 

Pic: Peepal tree worshipped at evening with lamps, insence, red KUMKUM, flowers and bananas /fruits or sweets. 

ITEMS USED IN WORSHIP:

FLOWER, LAMP, INSENCE, TUMERIC, RED KUMKUM. FRUITS/VEGETARIAN SWEETS. WATER. 

Ashoka tree- translated means "Anti" - "Suffering". Neem - bitter. Used as medicine for liver, skin & more. Anti-ghost/spirit tree. /Protection. 

Plants: Tulasi/"Tulsi" Plant. More like a small bush. A Basilikum plant. Used in all Narayan/Krishna temples. On Narayan food/ garland. /for Protection. Used as Sacred necklaces. 

6. Sacred Rivers & their Sources:

Most famous is the Trinity of

GANGA, YAMUNA, SARASVATI.

Their source is high up in the Himalayan mountain. And all rivers are also referred as " Mother". ThereforeIndian people will say "Mother Ganges", and so on!

Yamuna's source is called Yamunotri, and one can reach there during summer by bus, and than walk. In winter all of these places are snow-covered and closed.

Ganges comes in many thousands branches. Seven of them are the main source, and therefore as pilgrimage visited!! 

Saraswathi source is very beautiful to visit, due to it comes comes out of a deep mountain cave!! Located at village Mana, near the Tibetan border!! 

Other Indian Sacred Rivers:

Kaveri, Tunga-Bhadra,

holy river Ganges: "Mother Ganga" comes directly from spiritual realm. Flying through the whole universe, she comes with a lot of strength. So, Shiva sits eternally on top of the Himalayas and "catches" her on his head. Now softens, she flows in 7main branches down. To those u can Pilger (Gaumukh/Gangotri, Glacier near Badrinath a.s.o.). Other rivers: Saraswati: comes out of a mountain cave on 3400m, near Badrinath also. Yamuna river: Yamunotri. Other rivers origin in middle and South India. The Confluences of sacred rivers: Prayag (Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi flow together), DevPrayag in Himalayas: 2 Ganga-branches flow together. Holy "ghats"/ bathing places along the rivers. Rivers joining the ocean is also considered auspicious.
Confluences of oceans: e.g. At Rameshwaram they say "3 oceans meet". You have to go by AutoRikshaw or bus 12km from Rameshwaram to place called "DhanushKoti". It's the place where Lord Rama built bridge to Sri Lanka. After he rescued his wife and returned, he shot one arrow to make the bridge sink. (Dhanush= bow). Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal with clearly different water color, water quality and salt level u can clearly see. Pacific ocean comes from outside as well..

C -Travel Tips

Drinking Water

Use bought Drinking Bottles, filtered water, refill at "drinking water" taps, let bottle refill in restaurants, use tab water only in Himalayan mou tain areas (or cities like Haridwar) - > water source is local mountain water or Ganges water from the Ganges damn/.., or from village wells if source is known /trustable.

!! Water tabs in big cities r for u no pure drinking water. Please refer to filtered water as many Indians also do!! 

Medical

U can be astonished to find better, equal or more poor medical quality than in your country.

Pharmacies are at every corner/almost every road - due to Indians high population) so from that side good!

Otherwise medical doctors, Ayurveda doctors, and hospitals and dentists  may have completely different qualities as mentioned above. 

Many people come also for medical care purpose to India. "Medical Tourists" come for cheap but quality good surgeries or Ayurveda to India. U can bring yr eye dioptries with u and getnew specs done for fabulous prices!!

Vaccinations/Malaria etc or what?

Malaria is only in tropical areas of India like Mumbai during rainy season a.nd so on. Countryside. Himalayas Rajasthan desert and more there is no such complication!!

And also : "Don't get scared!!!"

Any local doctor can prescribe medicines for typhus, tuberculosis, malaria and more, since this is also what local Indians sometimes have to deal with!!

Cure Stomack Ailments?? 

Loperamide (a Chlorid) is preferred to Antibiotics since they work on the spot (sometimes within5-10min yr lose motion can stop!..).  

Where to buy tickets?? 

All tickets (bus, train, local inland flights, caps & more u can vuuy at all local tourist offices and stations!!! NO need and more difficult to book from yr coimuntryabroad) 

Travel Options:

Inside the city: auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, caps, some places u can get a horse(some tourist places) , camel (Rajasthan) or donkey.. Lol!! Or bull-/ Ox card!! 

Scooters and motor bikes one can rent on daily basis. 

Short Travels: local busses and passenger/express trains. 

Long Distances: Night busses. Express trains. Inland flights (due to India is huge!!) 

Girls travel alone??

-Yeah!! Possible!!

Book good train or bus tickets at local tourist offices ahead. Take advice from local people, hotel receptionists and other travelers. 

Avoid go on auto rickshaws alone at night!! (unless by your guest family know family-type of person!!)

Don't go alone Pipi at night during a train ride. (all people asleep. Lights turned off/it's dark/+!!) Just avoid it!! Sometimes people awake, or train stops at a junction. Than p better to go!!

Prefer AC /1sr class railway and bus tickets.

While going on lo AL busses prefer to st in the front near the driver or ticket guy!!

Make friends with local peolke/ sit with good people on the train. Walk roads where there r many people. Avoid dark empty side roads!! 

Otherwise it can be very safe also. Even India has less criminal rate than some other European countries!!! 

D. - Our Tours/ Tour Programs.

In future, after korona lockdown end, we are planning to take You&grouos along to India for spiritual pilgrimage& cultural sight seeing.

________

E - Good Pages for Traveling &       more. 

Ministry of Tourism India

provides travel Information under "Incredible India". Please check their Webpage mentioned below:

https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredibleindia/en.html

_____________________________________________________