India is countries of temples welcoming lots of devotees from all over the world to its many pilgrimages’ sites. In the heat of summer when one faces many difficulties while travelling or even going outside there are many places and pilgrimage sites one could visit during summers. Here are few of the best pilgrimage sites one can visit during summers.
1. Kedarnath, Uttrakhand
Kedarnath is closed during winters because of heavy snowfall and reopens by the end of April or starting of May. Shri Kedarnath Dham is the eleventh out of twelve Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. It is also a part of Char Dham of Uttrakhand and Panch Kedar.
There are many options to reach here by doing trekking of 16 Km, taking ponies or palkies or by Helicopter.
2. Badrinath, Uttrakhand
Similar to Kedarnath it is also closed during winters due to heavy snowfall and reopens each year by the end of April or starting of May.
Situated at the banks of Alaknanda River, Badrinath Dham is one of the Char Dham dedicated to Lord Vishnu Ji. It is also part of Char Dham present in Uttrakhand. Reaching here is comparatively easier than Kedarnath as there is a easy trek and is accessible by motorable roads.
3. Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu and Kashmir
Situated on Trikut Parvat in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, it is considered as one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus. One need to trek around 12 Km from Katra to reach at the Holy cave. Inside cave you will not find any sculpture of Mata, here Goddess is in the form of three rock formations which are known as Pinds.
It is also considered as one the most important Shaktipeeths where skull of Maa Sati fell.
4. Amarnath Cave, Jammu and Kashmir
Amarnath Cave temple is one of the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva located in the Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. To reach here one have to trek to a height of more than 14,000 feet and it took around 1-2 days to reach the cave. The trek is not easy and one have to be fit and healthy to reach here as there are no ponies available one can reach there only by walking.
This is the place where lord shiva has narrated the secrets of immortality and creation of universe to Maa Parvati Ji.
5. Jagannath Temple, Odisha
Shri Jagannath temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the Char Dham for pilgrimages. Here resides the heart of Lord Krishna (Jagannath) which is still beating.
Best time to visit here will be from September to march however you must experience annual Rath Yatra which takes place during summers.
There are many other temples which could be visited during summers we will see them in next article. Till then stay tuned.
Keep Travelling.