Religion makes the focal point of existence for all Indians. Thus, religious places abound in the country. The northern part of India especially is home to several small and big shrines. North India saw the rise of Islam and Hinduism simultaneously which is why there’s no dearth of temples as well as mosques in the northern part of India. Northern India’s rich history and age-old traditions coupled with lofty spiritualism, makes it a haven for all religiously inclined Indians. If you are in a mind to explore North India, you must visit the religious sites listed below. Without visiting these sites, your exploration will remain incomplete. Read on to learn more:

The Chardhams namely, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath spread across the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand and are dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, Goddess Ganga, Lord Shiva or Kedar and Lord Vishnu or Badrinath respectively. Adi Guru Shankaracharya, the great Hindu religious guru had established the concept of Chardhams centuries back. Today devout pilgrims from every nook and corner of the country make a beeline to the Chardhams to attain ‘Moksha’ or salvation. The journey to the Chardhams is rigorous journey and you have to trek for miles on a challenging, mountainous terrain. Those who find it difficult to trek their way up to Uttarakhand Chardhams, can avail the Chardham helicopter yatra services for a more convenient, comfortable and speedy journey.

The holy city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh is believed to be the place where Lord Rama; Lord Vishnu’s 7^th Avatar took his birth. Lord Rama is said to have spent a major part of his childhood at this place. Ram bhakts from every part of the country and globe visit the place to pay their tribute to Lord Rama. The chief attractions of this place are Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Kanak Bhavan temple, Kala Ram temple, Lakshman ghat. Visiting Ayodhya allows pilgrims to pick an overtly religious experience.

This is a much revered Dargah for the Muslims. Muslim pilgrims from every nook and corner of the country and world visit the Dargah. It is a common belief among pilgrims that if one prays sincerely at the Dargah, the wishes of the person are bound to get granted. This is a Sufi shrine dedicated to khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the great Sufi saint known enough for his secular preaching. Visiting this Dargah is often considered equal to going for a pilgrimage to Mecca. Moinuddin Chishti is often believed to be Prophet Mohammad’s chosen one. He was instructed in dream by the prophet to go to India and spread Islam.

Amarnath is a cave shrine in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir dedicated to Lord Shiva also known as Amarnath ji. Lord Shiva is enshrined here in the form of an ice stalagmite lingam. According to myths, Lord Shiva had narrated the secret of eternity or Amar katha to his consort Parvati at this very place.

Golden temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib, is a famous Gurudwara in the whole of the country and world. It is located in Punjab’s Amritsar city and came into being in the year 1604 under the active initiative of Guru Arjan Singh; the fifth of the Sikh gurus. The main shrine of the temple is made up pure, glittering gold and stands amid a pellucid water tank named as ‘Amrit sarovar’. A causeway connects the temple to the bank of the sarovar. The waters of the Amrit sarovar is believed to possess great healing power as it is believed to be full of divine nectar. The architectural beauty of the golden temple crafted in gold and marble is simply mesmerizing. The temple stands as a golden symbol of peace, spirituality and brotherhood.

The cave shrine of Shivkhori in Jammu and Kashmir is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This 200 meters long natural cave enshrines a self made image of the lord. Ransoo is the base camp for Shiv Khori trek.

Har-ki-pauri of Hardiwar is an important landmark of this ancient city steeped in mythological as well as religious significance. Bathing at Har-ki-pauri bathing ghat is considered as a ritualistic bath powerful enough to absolve one’s sins. As per myths, the two important Gods of the holy trinity; lord Vishnu and lord Shiva are said to have visited this place during the Vedic era. There are large foot prints on a stone slab at Bhramakund of the Har-ki-pauri ghat and it is believed to be the footprints of Lord Vishnu. King Vikramaditya is said to have constructed this famous ghat long back. Every evening thousands of visitors gather at the ghat to visualize the very enchanting Ganga Aarti.

Vaishno devi is a holy cave shrine dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi, lovingly referred to as Mata Rani by her devotees. This is one among the 108 Shakti Peethas of Goddess Shakti or Durga. One has to undertake a religious trek of 13kms uphill to reach the shrine which is perched at an elevation of 1560m atop the Trikuta parvat ranges. The base camp for Vaishnodevi trek is Katra in Jammu. Those who cannot undertake the trek may avail the Helicopter yatra to Vaishnodevi. The Goddess is enshrined here in the form of three pindis; i.e. Mahalaxmi, MahaSaraswati & Maha Kali. It is believed that until and unless the Goddess calls you, you cannot reach the bhavan of Mata Rani.

Hemkund Sahib is a much revered Sikh pilgrimage destination high up in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. It falls in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. The Gurudwara is perched at an elevation of 4329m above the sea level and is flanked by towering snow-capped peaks. As per myths, this was the place where the great Sikh guru Govind Singh ji meditated for years in his past life. The route to Hemkund Sahib is blessed with rare scenic beauty.

The famous Dilwara temples in Rajasthan’s Mount Abu are a cluster off 5 Jain Temples notable for their intricate marble carvings. Vimal Shah was the builder of these temples known enough for their architectural beauty and perfection. Visiting the Dilwara temples is an experience in itself.

Yoga may not have the same calorie burning effects of more intense exercises like running, swimming, and cardio-dance routines, but don't let all that fool you. With its attention to proper deep breathing exercises and sometimes-difficult poses held for as long as 1 to 2 minutes, yoga for weight loss is very much a real thing— ask the many doctors and personal trainers who vouch for it. It doesn't hurt that yoga also places special attention on improving your state of mind and spirit, leading to a healthier and better you.

Not all yoga practices are the same, which is why the amount of burned calories can range anywhere between 180 to 400 kcal an hour. The most strenuous forms of yoga are Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and other forms of modified "power yoga," which blends strength exercises, stretching for flexibility, and cardio.

A typical 90-minute Vinyasa class should leave you drenched in sweat, as the deep breathing works your core, flushing out toxins and water weight. Repeated upward-facing and downward-facing dog poses will work your arms, with the effect similar to doing push-ups.

But beyond the obvious physical and fitness demands of yoga, there's a deeper benefit to the practice: you become more aware of your body. You begin to develop an understanding of how your body works, realize which poses you can and can' execute just yet, and see how regular practice makes you better at yoga.

You also become more receptive to your body's needs and even notice things like food that doesn't digest well, or conversely, food that makes you feel good.

It’s a good habit to write down your thoughts and ideas after yoga exersecises that improve our brain activity and mental health too. Meanwhile, if you have some difficulties with writing task, feel free to order anyquality custom paper from Essaylab.

And yet the interesting thing about yoga is that not everyone will need the tougher classes to lose weight. Even gentler yoga practices like Hatha yoga, with its emphasis on breathing, strength, and flexibility, can jumpstart your body into weight-loss mode.

As you go about your daily, sometimes stressful, routine, your body is in a heightened state of alert, with high-octane hormones moving around your body. Yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls your hormones, digestion, and breathing. This, in turn, brings your body down to a calmer state and resets injury repair, normal metabolism, and balanced hormone generation—all of which facilitates weight loss.

And again, yoga is about having an awareness of your body, with its effects touching on both physiological and psychological functions. Regularly practicing yoga heightens your sensitivity to the body's signals, like hunger and food cravings. With regular yoga, you begin to understand the difference between real hunger and cravings.

Research on long-term yoga practice shows its ability to stop the middle-age spread. A recent study by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center indicates that overweight individuals ages 45 to 55 who practiced yoga on a regular basis over ten years lost an average of 5 pounds—those who didn't gain 14 pounds.

Welcome to India! A melting pot of color, culture and cuisine. From the eclectic displays of traditional wares in the market to the delicious aromas drifting from the shops of local food vendors, India promises an exotic experience that cannot be rivaled. Whether you are here for a week or a month, you will never run out of 5 star restaurants that serve the best meals as well as prime locations that offer a unique tourist experience. You can get lost in the vibrant city life of Mumbai or enjoy the tranquility of the Silent Valley in Kerala. Whatever your preference, India has something for you. Here’s a list of our favorite spots.

Tourist India, Delhi, Agra and Jaipur:it is not possible for you come to India without touching base with the country’s tourism hot spots. From the famous Taj Mahal which is also one of the most photographed spots to the Pink City which is named aptly for the vibrant terracotta pink color of the buildings and finally to the bazaars of Delhi where you can buy almost anything, tourist India offers a full dose of India in all its glamour and glory. Also, you will be able to see lots of Hinduism temples like popular Sai Baba Temple in a town Shirdi of Maharastra State and you will be easily get hotels in Shirdi at best discounted rate on online website ClearTrip.com.

Southern India, Mumbai, Goa and Kerala: If a holiday is not complete for you without a beach then head for southern India where the sun meets the beach and creates a magical experience. You may have to trade your grilled fish and chips for the more traditional (and exquisitely delicious) bhelpuri but it is totally worth the experience. You can choose the perfect beach spot from any of the southern locations listed. Just grab your beach gear and you are ready to go.

Secret Gem, Champawat: This is perfect for the traveler who is craving an idyllic holiday. Think religious temples, mother nature and astonishing architectural designs. Nestled deep in the mountainous region of Uttarakhand, this vacation spot is preferred by tourist who want to experience the culture from a spiritual angle. This is also great if you want to experience India without running into a crowd of tourists. If you are worried that this might be a snooze fest, perhaps the knowledge that Champawat is home to the ferocious man-eating tigers might change that notion. You can visit the region anytime of the year.

Northern India, Manali, Rishikesh, Kullu valley: The ideal Indian destination for the nomadic traveler, this region offers mountain hikes for the nature lovers and amazing water rafting locations for the adrenaline junkie. If you wish to add some spirituality to your trip (India is big o spirituality), you can visit the popular pilgrim trail that leads to sacred mountain temples.

Magical India, Pradesh, Rajasthan: experience the wildlife of India in their natural habitats. From lions to rhinos to even tigers and if this sounds a little too much for you, perhaps bird watching might be right up your alley. This region has a wide variety of exotic birds that will leave you with Instagram pictures to last for days. Camel riding across the deserts of Rajasthan should be on your to do list.