Sacred Sites

Sacred Sites

Key Sites in Hindu Worship

Temples

• One of the primary places of worship in Hinduism.
• Temples usually house deities’ murtis (statues) which Hindus pray to.
• Hindu communities often gather in temples for religious festivities and community events.

The Home

• Home shrines play a key role in Hindu worship. They can be a room, an altar or simply pictures or statues.
• Daily rituals or prayers known as puja take place at these shrines.

Sacred Sites in India

Varanasi

• This city on the banks of the River Ganges is one of the most sacred places in Hinduism.
• Hindus believe dying here grants moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Rameshwaram

• An island in Tamil Nadu, believed to be the place where Lord Rama built a bridge to rescue his wife Sita.
• It is a popular destination for performing ancestral rites.

Vrindavan

• Considered the birth place of Krishna, Vrindavan is deemed very holy.
• It is common to see devotees participating in communal devotional singing.

The Himalayas

• The Himalayan ranges are home to several Hindu pilgrimage sites.
• The region is known for its natural beauty and is considered to be the abode of the gods. Places like Badrinath and Kedarnath, are popular pilgrimage sites.

Sacred Rivers

• Many Hindus believe that bathing in a sacred river or immersing ashes of the dead has purifying effects.
• The Ganges (Ganga) is considered to be the most sacred river in Hinduism. It is depicted as a goddess, believed to descend from heaven to earth.
• Other significant rivers include the Yamuna, associated with Lord Krishna, and the Saraswati, associated with the goddess of learning.