Must Visit Places in India During Shravan Month
India is a country of diverse religions. Shravan Month is a holy month according to Hindu Calendar. And this year, in 2023, Shravan month, which began on the 4th of July, will end on the 31st of August. The long Shravan month of 2023 allows you to plan and visit various sacred temples, Jyotirlinga, and famous destinations of Shravan.
You can choose to visit any of the popular Shrawan destinations and take the blessings of Shiv, known with thousands of names like Shankar, Tripurari, Bholenath, Mahesh, Natraj, Kedar, Shambhu etc.
Popular Types of Attractions in Sawan
In this blog, we have curated a list of special Shravan destinations in India that you can visit this year.
Baidyanath Dham, Jharkhand
Baidyanath Dham is one of the most famous places to visit in Shravan. It’s not only known for Jyotirlinga but also for Shakti Peetha. It’s a complete destination for a special Shravan trip. Baidyanath, also called baba dham, is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand.
Devotees carry the holy water of Ganga from Sultanganj for the Abhishek of Lord Shiva and either travel from there on foot to please Shiva or take a motor vehicle. The distance between Sultanganj and Deoghar is around 110 kilometres.
You can take a train trip to Sultanganj. Trains between Sultanganj railway stations and major railheads are available.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Say Varanasi, Kashi or Banaras; the place is the home of one of the 12 pious jyotirlingas of India. It is known as a Mahakal ki bhumi and welcomes several devotees nationwide during Shrawan.
People come from different corners of the country to take a sacred bath in the Ganga river and offer Gangajal to Kashiyeshwar nath.
You can visit Kashi by train. The city is well-connected with railway lines. Varanasi Junction, Kashi, and Banaras are some of the major railheads in Varanasi.
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Another major religious destination of India is Ujjain, located in the heart of Madhya Pradesh. The city, among one of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism, holds immense significance for Hindu pilgrims. The city is home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. In Shravan, Devotees visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple to seek blessings and witness the powerful evening aarti.
Ujjain also hosts the famous Kumbh Mela, a grand Hindu festival held every 12 years, attracting millions of devotees who come to bathe in the sacred waters of the Shipra River. The city’s rich history, spiritual atmosphere, and numerous other temples make Ujjain a beautiful Shravan destination.
Ujjain is well-connected to Indian Railway lines. Ujjain junction is a major railhead in the city with the connectivity of trains from Indore, Bilaspur, Delhi, New Delhi, Indore etc.
Rameshwar, Tamil Nadu
Rameshwaram, located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, is a significant religious destination, especially during the auspicious month of Shravan. The destination is also considered one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites; Rameshwaram holds immense importance in Hindu mythology. It is believed to be where Lord Rama and his Vanar Sena built Ram Setu to reach Lanka in the epic Ramayana.
Devotees visit Rameshwaram to seek blessings during the month of Shravan. The Ramanathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Shankar, is a major attraction in Rameshwaram.
To commute to Rameshwaram, the train is the best mode of transport. You can take a train first for Chennai and, from there, take a scenic road ride or rail ride to the sacred abode of Shiva.
Gupteswar Cave, Odisha
Gupteswar Cave is a renowned pilgrimage site in the Koraput district of Odisha. The cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be an abode of the divine. Devotees visit this sacred cave temple during Shravan to seek blessings and perform various rituals.
The cave is nestled amidst the lush green forests of the Eastern Ghats, providing a serene atmosphere for spiritual pursuits. Visitors have to navigate through a narrow passage and take a challenging trek to reach the main shrine inside the cave. It is the best destination for people looking for devotional and adventurous trips.
To reach the Gupteswar cave, you first need to go to Jeypore. You can take a train to Jeypore railway station, and afterwards, you can reach a public bus stop to take a bus to Gupteshwar or hire public transport.
Murudeshwar, Karnataka
Murudeshwar is a coastal town in Karnataka. It is a prominent religious and tourist destination. The town is known for its magnificent Murudeshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. During Shravan month, you can visit this temple and take the blessings of Bholenath.
In addition, here, you can experience the breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea and immerse yourself in the divine atmosphere.
Mangalore is a major railhead to reach Murudeshwar. The station is well-connected from across the country. You can take a train to this station and hire a public vehicle to reach the Murudeshwar temple.
Amarnath, Jammu and Kashmir
Amarnath, located in the breathtaking region of Jammu and Kashmir, is a destination for Hindu pilgrims, particularly during the holy month of Shravan. It is home to the sacred Amarnath Cave, which is significant in Hindu mythology. The cave is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, and it is said that Lord Shiva revealed the secret of immortality to Goddess Parvati at this very place.
During Shravan, devotees undertake a challenging pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave. Devotees witness the natural formation of an ice stalagmite inside the Amarnath Cave, which is believed to represent Lord Shiva’s lingam. You register yourself on the official website of Amarnath Yatra for your Amarnath tour.
To reach Amarnath, you first need to take a train to Jammu Tawi railway station and take a helicopter ride, walk, or pony ride.
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh, situated in the picturesque state of Uttarakhand, holds immense spiritual and cultural significance. Known as the “Yoga Capital of the World,” Rishikesh has been a hub for seekers of spirituality, yoga, and meditation for centuries.
During the auspicious month of Shravan, people come to this city to visit numerous ashrams, temples, and yoga centres. The town offers a serene environment, surrounded by lush green forests and the majestic Himalayan peaks, creating an ideal setting for spiritual practices and self-reflection.
To reach Rishikesh, you can take a train trip to this land. Yoga Nagari Rishikesh and Rishikesh are two major railway stations in Rishikesh.
Keesaragutta, Telangana
Keesaragutta, located in Telangana, is a renowned religious destination. It is home to the historic Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is nestled amidst lush greenery and scenic surroundings, providing a serene ambience for devotees.
The Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple holds great significance in Hindu mythology. It is believed to be one of the oldest Shiva temples in Telangana. According to the Ramayana epic, at this place, Lord Rama’s sons, Lava and Kusha, performed the famous Ashwamedha Yagna after their victory over Lord Rama’s army.
You can come to this temple in Shravan and perform your puja ceremony. To reach here, you can take a train to Secunderabad railway station and travel by bus or cab to Keesaragutta.
Adiyogi, Tamil Nadu
Adiyogi, also known as the Adiyogi Shiva Statue, is located at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. The Isha Yoga Center is situated at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains, approximately 30 kilometres west of Coimbatore city.
In the complex of Isha Centre, the magnificent Adiyogi statue stands, drawing visitors from all over the world to experience its beauty and spiritual significance. In this Shravan month trip, you can plan your visit to Adiyogi, the 34-metre tall, 45-metre long, and 25-metre wide steel statue.
You can take a train trip to Coimbatore junction to reach the Isha centre of Coimbatore junction. The railway station has better train connectivity than major railway stations, including Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, and Chennai.
Apart from these temples and destinations, India has several places where people travel to visit and take the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Why is Sawan considered an auspicious month in the Hindu calendar?
For several reasons, Sawan, also known as Shravan, is considered an auspicious month. Sawan is particularly associated with the worship of Lord Shiva. Legends say Lord Shiva performed Tandava during this month. Devotees observe fasts, offer prayers, and visit Shiva temples to seek his blessings and express their devotion.
Moreover, the month of Sawan also falls during the monsoon season in India, when the earth is refreshed and abundant with greenery. The pouring rains are a blessing, as they replenish the water bodies, nourish the crops, and create a pleasant atmosphere. It is believed that offering prayers and observing religious rituals during this time can bring prosperity and good fortune.
Where should I go during Shravan Month?
You can visit numerous destinations in Sawan to worship lord Shiva and experience the monsoon vibes. To plan your journey in Sawan, train is one of the best transport modes. You can take the help of RailMitra, rail enquiry and the PNR status app to plan your journey. The app helps you to check train seat availability, trains between two stations, live train running status, PNR ticket confirmation status etc.
You can also order food on the train with its online e-catering services to satiate your travel hunger while journeying to your religious destination.
RailMitra wishes you a happy sawan Yatra!