We invite you to explore India - the Land with infinite beauty ! Whether you soar high into Himalayas or peer under the ruins of the Ancient monuments dotting the landscape of India, you will cherish the experience long after your visit ! This India Travel Guide is free from any commercial interest! This site is dedicated to promote India - the vast subcontinent, its glorious past, magnificent landscape and its infinite variety.

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God in Himalaya Mountains


India is home to about 900 million Hindus. Excavations in the Indus valley has established that the ancient denizens of this land have worshipped 'Shiva', the God of destruction in the Hindu pantheon. Shiva is often venerated in the form of 'Shivalingam' (phallus) throughout India.


Together with Brahmma (God of Creation) and Vishnu (God of preservation), Shiva forms the Hindu trinity. Hindus have built thousands of temples in the last couple of thousand years. Even a small village will boast of a temple in honour of one of the deities from the vast pantheon.


Often temples are the only remaining structures of the past glory. We will see more examples of these grandeur as we traverse our way through India.


Himalaya is the abode of Shiva and his consort "Shakthi" (literally - power or the driving force). Much of the colourful pomp and ceremony associated with the people of this Himalayan region is probably because of the number of temples,Sikh Gurudwaras, Buddhist monasteries and churches dotting the landscape. People from this region worship about 2000 gods.


A stone's throw from Manali is the magnificent Dhoongri Temple housing Hadimba Devi, built around 450 years ago. As the picture on the left shows, this temple is an example of exquisite word carving. Vashist temple, located in a crest some 3 Km away in Manali, is famous for its stone architecture and the hot sulphur springs channeled to a public bath house.


Ancient capital of Kullu is 'Jagatsukh', which aptly summarizes the theme - Happiness of the World. The patron goddess of the ancient Kullu kingdom is Hadimba Devi. The colourful Dussera festival is celebrated in grand style in this Kullu valley, every October. Vaishno Devi temple in a little cave is on the way to Kullu. Here you will find clusters of temples honouring many of the Hindu Gods.


Manali is a picturesque little town, up the Kullu valley. You will find many photos in these pages here, trying to capture the infinite beauty of this land of God. Solang valley, some 13 Km from Manali, lets you feast your eyes on glaciers and snow capped mountains forming a backdrop to the Rohtang Pass. Rohtang Pass, about 3978 meters (13260 ft) high, some 50 km from Manali was the traditional gateway - the trading routes to the central Asia through Lahaul and Ladakh.


Manali derives its name from Manu, a divine law-giver. Dense pine forests, fertile apple orchards,wild flowers sprouting from the deeply wooded undulating slopes, the gurgling streams of pristine water and the distant view of the snow capped mountains will bring you closer to a communion with the God.


The Lakshminarayan temple in Chamba, pictured here, is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. These temples, as is usual in Himalayas, are mostly built of intricately carved wood.


The large Tibetan population adds to the rich heritage of Himalayas. This Monastery houses tangkha paintings and traditional Tibetan handicrafts. You will see many Tibetan shops dealing with carpets, winter clothing,trekking/mountaineering equipments amongst others and 'dhabas' specializing in Tibetan food in these regions. Lahaul and Spiti have many ancient Monasteries. Tabo monastery is the holiest places for Tibetans as it houses the Chorten of Rinchen Tsangpo, the great translator.


Kungri monastery has the added attraction of lamas performing masked dances during the summer festival. Another most sacred temple in North India is Jwalamukhi in Kangra. It means "Goddess of Flame" in Sanskrit and the devotees see Her in the blue flame emanating from a rock in the sanctum.


Paonta Sahib,in Sirmaur district, is devoted to the memory of Guru Gobind Singh and this Gurudwara is most sacred to Sikhs. Manikaran also has Hindu and Sikh shrines. This quaint little town has hot springs and public bath houses as in Vashist temple.


Europeans are not far behind in Himalayas when it comes to religion. Christ church in Shimla's ridge, pictured here lit only by floodlights, is reputed to be the second oldest church in Northern India. Its fine murals depicting faith,hope,fortitude and humanity is a visual treat. St.John's Church in Dharamshala is located in a dense forest with a memorial to Lord Elgin.



Search through our pages on India

Indian Temples Indian Temples - Information about temples in all their architectural grandeur

Belur Hoysala Temples Belur Hoysala Temples - Poetry in Stone

Chola Temples Chola Temples - Revisit the past glory of the mighty Cholas

Madurai Meenakshi Temple Madurai Meenakshi Temple - One of the Biggest temples

Tirupati temple Tirupati temple - Lord of the 7 Hills

Rameshwaram Temple Rameshwaram Temple - Sethu Yathra

Swamimalai Temple Swamimalai Temple - The Son who taught his Father

Guruvayur Temple Guruvayur Temple - Bhuloka Vaikunta

Sabarimala Temple Sabarimala Temple - Makara Jyothi

Padmanabha swamy Temple Padmanabha swamy Temple - Ananthasayanam

God in Himalaya Mountains God in Himalaya Mountains - Abode of Shiva and his consort Shakthi

Char Dham Char Dham - Most revered 4 temples of Hindu Pilgrimage in Himalayas

Yamunotri Yamunotri - Yamunotri - dedicated to Goddess Yamuna

Gangotri Gangotri - Holy destination that embodies the origins of the Ganga

Kedarnath Kedarnath - Kedarnath on the Garhwal Range built by Adi Shankaracharya

Badrinath Badrinath - Badrinath dedicated to Vishnu - supreme God of Vaishnavites

Temples in Mathura and Vrindavan Temples in Mathura and Vrindavan - Temples dedicated to Lord Krishna

Temples in Dwarka Temples in Dwarka - legend and lore that surround the temples in Dwarka

Amritsar Golden Temple Amritsar Golden Temple - In the Pool of the Nectar of Immortality

Vaishno Devi Temple Vaishno Devi Temple - Shakti - Source of all Power

Konark Sun Temple Konark Sun Temple - Intricate sculptural work

Khajuraho Khajuraho - Breathtaking sculptures of Khajuraho

Puri Jagannath Temple Puri Jagannath Temple - 12 century Hindu Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Temple in the oldest living city

Shirdi Temple Shirdi Temple - White marble temple

Thiruvannamalai temple Thiruvannamalai temple - Padal PetraSthalam

Saradamba Temple Sringeri Saradamba Temple Sringeri - Sringeri Temples

Ranganatha Swami Temple Ranganatha Swami Temple - Largest Temple in the World

Udupi Krishna Temple Udupi Krishna Temple - Kanakanakindi

Vaitheeswaran Koil Vaitheeswaran Koil - Prime center for naadi shastra

Sripuram Golden Temple Sripuram Golden Temple - Temple of Gold

Sakshi Gopal Temple Puri Sakshi Gopal Temple Puri - Witness by God

Srikalahasti Temple Srikalahasti Temple - Kailas of the South

Kanchipuram Temple Kanchipuram Temple - Ancient Pallava built Temple

Palani Temple Palani Temple - Temple dedicated to Tamil God

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple Thiruchendur Murugan Temple - Part of the 6 Abodes of Murugan




Shiva temple in Manikaran Sample of an intricately carved portion inside the Hadimba temple Another finely carved Temple in Chamba Christ church in the Ridge
God in Himalaya Mountain