Exploring Sacred Pilgrimage in India from New Delhi Railway Station

New Delhi Railway Station is one of the busiest railway stations and also the station supreme of the capital city of India. This city not only attracts people from the capital but also from the corporate hubs of the Delhi NCR region. Feeling exhausted and fatigued from the rigorous requirements of corporate life, is common. It is here, when people take their phones out and search about the best destinations for pilgrimage in India.

Residents of New Delhi are fortunate that they are present in the cross section of a number of pilgrimage routes in India. Passengers can choose among various pilgrim sites as they are all well connected by the railways from the capital city. 

In this blog we will explain all the pilgrim routes passengers from New Delhi and surrounding Delhi NCR region can take. So, let’s head on to learning about the journeys that itself becomes a part of devotion. 

Importance of Pilgrimage in India

India has always been connected with spirituality and mysticism. It is thus natural that pilgrimage in India holds a central importance in the life of all Indians.

Here is what makes pilgrimage travel in India, special:

• Importance of Holy Shrines: It is often said that the essence of Indian spiritualism lies in its temples. Temples hold deep spiritual importance in India. It is believed that the deities themselves reside in these places and grant the request of people who visit these sites.

• Journey is itself spiritual: The journey isn’;t an isolated event. It is a part of the divine experience. Devotees are requested to maintain spiritual discipline even during the trip.

• Opportunity for Self-reflection: Travel is a unique event in the aspect that it is very engaging. The mind of the traveler is naturally shifted towards the journey, away from the constant stress that is disturbing the mental peace. Travelling is often called the most enjoyable form of therapy. Our religious Gurus understood this centuries ago.

• The Great Uniting force: Pilgrimage in India provides a great opportunity for people with diverse languages, regions, customs and practices to come together and share their devotion for the deity together. Thus ending the sharp social barriers that often divide us.

Religious Destination to Explore from New Delhi Railway Station

Here are some of the most sought after religious destinations from the New Delhi Railway Station:

Delhi to Haridwar 

Distance: Around 250 km
Travel Time: 4–6 hours
Nearest Station: Haridwar Junction railway station

Delhi to Haridwar is a popular choice for Pilgrimage in India. Haridwar is the place where the holy river Ganga comes out from the mountains and enters the plains. River Ganga holds great spiritual importance in the life of Indians and is also worshipped dearly.  Hindu Devotees believe that the water of Ganga removes their sins. Some also believe that taking a dip in this river will liberate them from this life and help them attain moksha.

Some of the important places to visit while in Haridwar includes:

• • Har Ki Pauri: Har Ki Pauri is a special place. It is the sacred ghat. When the evening Ganga Aarti happens at Har Ki Pauri it makes the atmosphere feel deeply spiritual. The evening Ganga Aarti, at Har Ki Pauri is really something.
  • Mansa Devi Temple: it is situated on the hilltops and you need a ropeway to visit this shrine.
  • Chandi Devi Temple

You can easily check your boooking status with RailMitra platform. If you train ticket hasn’t been Confirmed, this is a helpful tool to track current status of booking.

Delhi to Ayodhya 

Distance: Around 620 km
Travel Time: 8-12 hours
Nearest Station: Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station

Ayodhya doesn’t need any introduction. It is the capital of the kingdom Lord Rama. After the construction of the Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, the number of devotees visiting the city has skyrocketed. Delhi to Ayodhya train route is not different, Passengers are actively travelling to this ancient city to get a glimpse of Ram Lalla. 

Hanuman Garhi is another important shrine in Ayodhya dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is said that you won’t get the blessings of Lord Ram if you don’t visit Hanuman Garhi. Kanka Bhawan is another holy shrine which is dedicated to Mata SIta.

Saryu rivers pass alongside Ayodhya and devotees actively take a bath in these waters. It is said that Lord Ram took Jal Samdhi from the ghats of the same Saryu River. 

Delhi to Prayagraj 

Distance: Around 630 km
Travel Time: 6.5 – 9 hours
Nearest Station: Prayagraj Junction (PRYJ)

Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) is the confluence and the meeting point of the three most holy rivers in India, namely: Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Out of these three rivers, the first two still drain the plains of India while the third river Saraswati is not present anymore.This confluence of rivers is also called Snagam or Triveni Sangam. Many passengers take trains from Delhi to Prayagraj for witnessing this coming together of Holy river and taking a holy dip in the waters.

Prayagraj’s popularity peaks during the times of Kumbh or Mahakumbh. The Kumbh Mela is the largest congregation of humans on the planet and it is organised near this Triveni of rivers. Devotees take a dip in holy waters to cleanse their body as well as mind and spirits. 

Here are some of other places to visit in Prayagraj:

• Veni Madhav Temple: Veni Madhav Temple is not just another shrine but the house of the residing deity of Prayagraj himself. Local traditions say that a visit to Prayagraj is incomplete without a visit to the Veni Madfhav temple.

• Lete Hanuman Mandir: Shree Lete Hanuman Mandir is a unique temple in India. In this temple a 20 feet idol of Lord Hanuman is present in the reclining position. It is the only temple in India with such a representation of Lord Hanuman.

• Alopi Devi Mandir: It is yet another unique shrine in Prayagraj. Unlike most of the traditional temples in India which have a deity’s idol at the centre, it has a palanquin (doli).

If you want to check the trains between stations, you can easily do so using the RailMMitra platform. Using this service you can track all the trains that run between two given stations.

Delhi to Varanasi 

Distance: Around 780 km
Travel Time: 8 – 11 hours
Nearest Station: Varanasi Junction (BSB) / Banaras (BSBS)

Varanasi is a special place. People often say that Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India. It is also one of the oldest cities in the world. Varanasi has been around for a long time. This is why this Delhi to Varanasi is the one of the most popular routes.

People go to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple because it is very special. They watch the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat are very meaningful to these people. They also go to Manikarnika Ghat to think about how nothing lasts, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Ganga Aarti, at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Varanasi is a special place in India. People think it is very spiritual. Varanasi is a place that a lot of people respect and love to visit. It is still one of the important spiritual places in India.

If you want to check the train schedule, RailMitra platform provides a hasslefree method for passengers.

Delhi to Ujjain

Distance: Around 800 km
Travel Time: 10 – 12 hours
Nearest Station: Ujjain Junction (UJN)

One of the ancient cities of Madhya Pradesh is Ujjain, which happens to be one of the known sacred cities of Hindu tradition. It holds the most special place i.e. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, which is followed as a ritual as people visit it the whole year. It also has Kal Bhairav Temple and Ram Ghat which has its own importance. 

The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and other crucial places make the city great in tradition and culture and close to their faith. This is why a huge number of devotees travel from Delhi to Ujjain.

• Religion & Culture: It has Mahakaleshwar Temple and the eccentric Bhasma Aarti, Kal Bhairav Temple, and Ram Ghat.
• Historical Significance: A 5,000-year-old city, formerly the capital of a large empire and a center of science, often called the “Greenwich of India” as the first meridian of longitude historically passed through it. It is 5000 year old city and the realm of 
• Key Events: The city hosts the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, a major event for millions, and the Kalidas Samaroh, a celebration of the legendary poet.
• Geography: Situated on the Malwa Plateau on the banks of the Kshipra River, offering a mix of ancient history and a bustling modern city.
• Food: Famous for local delicacies like Poha, Bhutte Ka Kees, Sabudana Khichdi, and Dal Bafla.
• Best Time to Visit: October to March is considered ideal for visiting when the weather is pleasant. 

Ujjain remains a vital spiritual and cultural center in India, drawing travelers for its rich heritage and sacred atmosphere.

What Pilgrimage in India Teaches You

In the Indian tradition the journey towards the deity is held sacred and called Yatra. However, these locations are more than just religious centres. These are the places that opens your consciousness and helps you look at the life from a different perspective:

• The Art of Surrender: Indian philosophy teaches us to not see ourselves as the doer. It teaches us to let go of any attachment with the results. By this we can let go of our ego and come closer to the supreme divine.

• Samatva, the divine equality: In religious centres the Prasadam or the holy flood is provided to one and all in a similar fashion. Whether it be a common city dweller or a big businessman, both are equal in front of the God and it reflects in their similar treatment at the temple.

• Conquering Time: Spiritual centres like Ujjain and the crematorial sites of Varanasi tell us how fragile our life and lifespans are. When you see rows of dead bodies being cremated in a sequence, you subconsciously begin to understand the realities of life. By understanding Kalal you overcome it, you conquer it.

• Power of Tapa: By stepping out of your comfort zone (air-conditioned rooms and soft beds), you realize that your inner happiness is not dependent on external comforts. You discover a reservoir of strength within you that you didn’t know existed.

• Practising Mindfulness: It teaches patience and focus. The journey teaches you that the “destination” is just a moment, but the preparation, the longing, and the discipline leading up to it are where the real transformation happens.

Conclusion

The pilgrimage in India taught me how to be patient and strong. It taught me to appreciate the things in life. The pilgrimage in India showed me that people are very kind and helpful.

Going on a pilgrimage is not about visiting all the famous religious places in India. It is really about taking your time and slowing down. You get to see people doing their rituals. It makes you feel like you are a part of something that has been around for a very long time. A pilgrimage is about feeling part of something.