Economically speaking, India is an emerging economy. It’s a country that is witnessing a rapid surge in its manufacturing, service, and tech industries in recent years. This growth has attracted global attention as India embraces numerous American, Chinese and European firms that are expanding their business into the country. The economically prosperous spell has also seen a marked increase in the creation of specific Indian (.in) domains, helped by hosting companies like 1&1 that are expanding growth for businesses in India.
However, away from the financial rat race, India is also understood by many to be a country of spirituality and religious pilgrimage, as millions of travelers seeking a deeper understanding of life. The country’s chief religion – Hinduism – provides many with a platform of which to address questions of the metaphysical nature. We take a look at a few popular pilgrimage sites where tourists can visit to explore a different perspective on life.
A stay with the Dalai Lama
Many love to visit the spiritual leader of the Buddhist faith, the Dalai Lama, in Dharamsala, found in the Himachal Pradesh state of India. This is one of the areas of the country where religious faiths live together in harmony. The Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamsala since his exile from Tibet in 1959, where he was fleeing the occupying Chinese forces. You can attend his teachings when he is not traveling the world offering Buddhist teachings himself. His schedule can be found here. You can even take a 10 day vow of silence meditation course.
Embrace a Guru in Amritapuri Ashram
Mata Amritanandamayi, or Amma, is a saint and Guru amongst Hindus and has hugged over 33 million people in her 30 years as a spiritual leader. Usually found in the South West of India, Amma is famous for her desire to comfort all those who visit her, embracing the Hindu ideal of unconditional love for all humanity.
Meeting of the three seas at Kanyakumari
At the southernmost point of India, the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea converge as one. The sand is multi-colored and the location where the seas meet is known as “Thriveni Sangamam” and has an incredibly holy image, said be to a place that can wash one’s sins away. The location is popular amongst Hindu pilgrims and travelers alike.
