Pilgrimage Tours in India: Tirth Yatra Guide 2026–27
तीर्थ यात्राEvery temple has a story. Walk it with us.
The 12 Jyotirlingas, the Shakti Peeths and Nau Devi temples of Himachal, the Char Dham, Amarnath and Kashi — with the legends behind them, this season’s dates, darshan timings and an honest route plan from a Himachal travel agency.
- 12 Jyotirlingas
- 5 Shakti Peeths in Himachal
- 9 Devi temples · Nau Devi
- 4 Dhams of Uttarakhand
- 2027 Kumbh & yatra calendar
Pilgrimage tours in India, planned from the Himalaya
A tirth yatra is a journey to sacred places — a single temple or a whole circuit. The best known are the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva, the Shakti Peeths of the Goddess (five of them in Himachal), the Char Dham of Uttarakhand, the Amarnath cave and Vaishno Devi in Jammu & Kashmir, and the Kashi–Ayodhya–Prayagraj trail. Suzu Travels plans these yatras end to end — registration, hotels near the temples, cars, ponies or helicopters, and the slower days elders need.
Eight journeys of faith
Each card opens the guide below — the story, the season, the route and how we plan it. Prices depend on dates, hotels and group size, so every yatra is quoted for you.
Twelve pillars of light across India
The Shiva Purana tells how Brahma and Vishnu argued over who was greater — until an endless column of light split the worlds. Neither could find its top or its base, and Shiva emerged from it. The twelve Jyotirlingas mark where that light is worshipped. Tap a light on the map to read its story.
Somnath
According to the Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) and the Prabhas Khanda of the Skanda Purana, the Moon god Chandra married the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha Prajapati but showered his love on Rohini alone. The neglected sisters complained, and when Chandra ignored Daksha's warnings, the angry father cursed him to waste away.
Tap any light on the map to read its story.
Plan the full circuit in 18–22 days
The twelve temples sit in seven states. Most pilgrims group them — Gujarat (Somnath, Nageshwar), Madhya Pradesh (Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar), Maharashtra (Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Grishneshwar), the south (Mallikarjuna, Rameshwaram), the north (Kedarnath, Kashi Vishwanath) and the east (Vaidyanath) — and fly between the groups.
- 01 · GUJARATसोमनाथ
Somnath
- Daksha cursed the Moon to fade
- Chandra prayed to Shiva at Prabhas
- Shiva eased the curse: wax, wane
- Light returned and Somnath rose
- 02 · ANDHRA PRADESHमल्लिकार्जुन
Mallikarjuna
- Two brothers raced around the world
- Ganesha circled his parents and won
- Hurt Kartikeya left for Krauncha hill
- Shiva and Parvati followed to Srisailam
- 03 · MADHYA PRADESHमहाकालेश्वर
Mahakaleshwar
- A demon terrorised the city of Avanti
- Brahmins kept chanting Shiva's name
- Mahakal burst from the earth
- Ujjain's eternal guardian took his seat
- 04 · MADHYA PRADESHओंकारेश्वर
Omkareshwar
- Proud Vindhya longed for greatness
- He shaped a linga by Narmada
- Shiva appeared in two forms
- An Om-shaped island became holy
- 05 · UTTARAKHANDकेदारनाथ
Kedarnath
- The Pandavas sought Shiva's forgiveness
- Shiva hid as a Himalayan bull
- Bhima seized the sinking hump
- Kedarnath rose amid snowy peaks
- 06 · MAHARASHTRAभीमाशंकर
Bhimashankar
- Kumbhakarna's son Bhima grew mighty
- He jailed a devoted king
- His sword struck the sacred linga
- Shiva arose as Bhimashankar
- 07 · UTTAR PRADESHकाशी विश्वनाथ
Kashi Vishwanath
- Shiva and Shakti chose Kashi
- The city rests on his trident
- Here Shiva whispers the liberating mantra
- Vishwanath, Lord of the Universe
- 08 · MAHARASHTRAत्र्यंबकेश्वर
Trimbakeshwar
- Jealous sages tricked Sage Gautama
- A cow fell; he was blamed
- Shiva freed Ganga as Godavari
- Tryambaka stayed at Brahmagiri
- 09 · JHARKHANDवैद्यनाथ
Vaidyanath
- Ravana offered his heads to Shiva
- Shiva healed him as Vaidyanath
- A cowherd set the linga down
- It stayed forever at Deoghar
- 10 · GUJARATनागेश्वर
Nageshwar
- Demons ruled Darukavana by the sea
- Supriya chanted Shiva's name in chains
- Shiva blazed forth and freed them
- Nageshwar, Lord of Serpents, stayed
- 11 · TAMIL NADUरामेश्वरम्
Rameshwaram
- Rama prayed by the southern sea
- Sita shaped a linga of sand
- Hanuman's linga is worshipped first
- Rameshwaram: Lord of Rama
- 12 · MAHARASHTRAघृष्णेश्वर
Grishneshwar
- Ghushma worshipped 101 clay lingas
- Jealousy took her son's life
- Faith revived him; she forgave
- Shiva stayed as Ghushmeshwar
Where Sati fell: the Shakti Peeths of Himachal
When Sati gave up her body at her father Daksha’s yagna, Shiva carried her through the worlds in grief. Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra freed him — and wherever a part of her fell, a seat of the Goddess arose. Five of the most visited are a day’s drive from our office in Bilaspur.
- Daksha’s yagnaDaksha invites every god but Shiva. Sati goes anyway — and is humiliated.
- Sati’s sacrificeUnable to bear the insult to her husband, she gives up her body.
- Shiva’s tandavaGrief-struck, Shiva wanders the worlds with her body; creation trembles.
- The Sudarshan ChakraVishnu’s discus parts the body — each fallen part becomes a peetha.
- BILASPUR · HIMACHALनैना देवी जी मंदिर
Naina Devi
- Sati's eyes fall on Shivalik hill
- A white cow showers milk
- Herd boy Naina dreams of Devi
- Raja Bir Chand builds her temple
- KANGRA · HIMACHALज्वालामुखी (ज्वाला जी) मंदिर
Jwala Ji (Jwalamukhi)
- Sati's tongue falls in Kangra
- Flames burn without any idol
- Akbar tries to douse them
- His golden chhatra changes metal
- UNA · HIMACHALमाता चिंतपूर्णी मंदिर
Chintpurni
- Devi offers her own head
- Shiva guards all four directions
- Mai Das receives her darshan
- She who ends all worries
- KANGRA · HIMACHALबज्रेश्वरी (ब्रजेश्वरी) देवी मंदिर
Brajeshwari (Kangra Devi)
- Sati's left breast falls at Nagarkot
- Pandavas raise the first shrine
- Ghazni loots, earthquake destroys
- Butter-clad Devi each Sankranti
- KANGRA · HIMACHALचामुंडा नंदिकेश्वर धाम
Chamunda Devi
- Devi's brow births a warrior
- Chanda and Munda are slain
- A priest dreams of hidden idol
- Shrine moves down to Baner river
Lists differ, and that’s normal. The most quoted list has 51 peethas; Adi Shankara’s hymn names 18 great ones, and other texts count 52, 64 or 108. Vaishno Devi, for example, is not in the classical 51 but is among the most visited Devi shrines in India.
Nau Devi Yatra: nine Devis in nine days
The folk tradition of the “seven sisters” — Vaishno Devi, Jwala Ji, Naina Devi, Chintpurni, Kangra, Chamunda and Mansa Devi — grew to nine to match the nine nights of Navratri, adding Shakumbhari and Kalka. From Chandigarh you can do seven of them in about 7 days.
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Day 1 · 210 km from DelhiShakumbhari Deviशाकुम्भरी देवी
Behat, Saharanpur (UP). Start the circuit with the Devi of greens and grain, after a stop at Bhura Dev.
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Day 2 · 156 + 25 kmMansa Devi & Kali Mataमनसा देवी · काली माता
Panchkula & Kalka (Haryana). Both temples are run by the Mansa Devi Shrine Board; summer darshan 4 am–10 pm.
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Day 3 · 110 kmNaina Deviनैना देवी
Bilaspur, Himachal — our home district. A cable car lifts you to the hilltop shrine above the Gobind Sagar lake.
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Day 4 · 112 kmChintpurniचिंतपूर्णी
Una, Himachal. Take a darshan slip at the gate; the online Sugam Darshan saves hours in peak season.
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Day 5–6 · 31 + 36 kmJwala Ji & Brajeshwariज्वाला जी · ब्रजेश्वरी
Kangra, Himachal. Natural flames instead of an idol at Jwala Ji; the butter-clad Devi of Kangra each Makar Sankranti.
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Day 6 · 22 kmChamunda Deviचामुंडा देवी
Kangra, Himachal. On the Baner river below the Dhauladhar; pair it with Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj.
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Day 7–8 · 241 km + 12 km trekVaishno Deviवैष्णो देवी
Katra, J&K. Get your free RFID card, climb to the cave and finish the yatra at Bhairon temple.
Road distances are approximate (OpenStreetMap routing) — hill roads take longer than the map says. Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on 11 October and Chaitra Navratri 2027 on 7 April: expect the biggest crowds then.
Char Dham Yatra: 2026 season and 2027 planning
The 2026 yatra opened with Yamunotri and Gangotri on 19 April, Kedarnath on 22 April and Badrinath on 23 April. Closing dates follow tradition: Badrinath’s is announced on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026; Kedarnath and Yamunotri close on Bhai Dooj and Gangotri on Annakut (around 10–11 November). Registration on the Uttarakhand government portal is compulsory.
- Register firstOn registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app — for every pilgrim, before you travel.
- Go west to eastYamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath; allow 10–12 days from Haridwar or Rishikesh.
- Know the walksAbout 6 km from Janki Chatti to Yamunotri and about 16 km from Gaurikund to Kedarnath; ponies, palkis and helicopters are available.
- Book helicopters safelyKedarnath helicopter tickets are sold only on heliyatra.irctc.co.in — avoid look-alike sites.
Amarnath Yatra: what to know for 2027
The 2026 yatra ran from 3 July to 28 August (57 days). The 2027 dates are not announced yet — the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board usually announces them in spring and opens registration around mid-April. Pilgrims must be 13 to 70 years old, carry a compulsory health certificate and collect an RFID card in Jammu or Kashmir.
According to tradition, Shiva chose this cave to tell Parvati the secret of immortality, the Amar Katha, leaving even his companions behind on the way. A pair of pigeons is said to have overheard it — and devotees still look for them at the cave. Two routes lead there: the longer, gentler Pahalgam route via Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni (about 32–36 km) and the short, steep Baltal route (about 14 km).
Helicopters: in 2026 no helicopter service ran on the yatra routes because the area was a no-fly zone. Check the Shrine Board’s notice for 2027 before you plan around one.
Vaishno Devi: the climb to the Trikuta cave
From Katra a paved track of about 12–13 km climbs to the cave shrine at 1,585 m, where the Devi is worshipped as three natural pindis. Tradition says she meditated for nine months in the Ardhkuwari cave on the way; the yatra is completed at the Bhairon temple above.
- Get the free RFID cardOnline at online.maavaishnodevi.org or at the Katra counters — cross Banganga within 6 hours of collecting it.
- Choose your way upWalk, pony or palki; helicopter Katra–Sanjichhat; battery car on the Tarakote side; ropeway Bhawan–Bhairon (9 am–5 pm).
- Mind the aartiDarshan pauses for about two hours at each aarti, before sunrise and after sunset.
- Avoid peak rainSpring and autumn are best; in heavy monsoon the Shrine Board can pause the track.
Kashi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj
Three of the oldest sacred cities on one trail: Kashi Vishwanath and the Ganga aarti in Varanasi, the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya (consecrated on 22 January 2024), and the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj.
Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi
The temple opens at 2:30 am, with the Mangala aarti from 3 am, and closes at 11 pm after the Shayan aarti. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor links the temple to the Ganga.
Ram Mandir, Ayodhya
Free darshan runs from about 7 am to 9 pm with a midday break; free passes are issued on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra website.
Sangam, Prayagraj
The meeting of the Ganga, Yamuna and the unseen Saraswati. In 2027 the Magh Mela bathing days fall from January to March; Haridwar holds its Ardh Kumbh from 14 January to 20 April 2027.
Yatras of Dev Bhoomi Himachal
Himachal is called the land of the gods. Beyond its Devi temples, it holds some of India’s toughest and most beautiful Shiva pilgrimages.
Manimahesh Kailash, Chamba
A steep 13–14 km climb to a lake at 4,080 m below the sacred peak, between Janmashtami and Radha Ashtami. In 2026 it ran from 25 August to 19 September with a new online e-pass and a cap of about 5,000 pilgrims a day.
Kinner Kailash, Kinnaur
A hard trek from Tangling to a rock pillar said to change colour through the day. The 2026 season ran from 30 July to 10 August with a daily cap and a compulsory fitness check.
Shrikhand Mahadev, Kullu
One of India’s hardest pilgrimages, to a rock lingam at about 5,200 m. The 2026 yatra was suspended by the Kullu administration on safety grounds — wait for the 2027 notice.
Baijnath & Bijli Mahadev
Easy, year-round Shiva temples: the 13th-century stone temple of Baijnath in Kangra, and the hilltop Bijli Mahadev above Kullu, whose lingam is said to be struck by lightning.
When to go: the pilgrim’s year
Dates marked with a year are confirmed by official or major news sources as of 8 Oct 2026. Others are the usual pattern — we confirm each one before we book.
- Tell us the templesOne shrine or a whole circuit, your city, dates and who is travelling — elders, children, NRIs.
- We plan the yatraRegistrations, darshan passes where they exist, hotels close to the temples, cars, ponies or helicopters.
- One quote, no surprisesEvery yatra is priced for your dates and group, with what’s included written down.
- On the road with youA WhatsApp line to our Himachal office for the whole journey.
Plan your tirth yatra with Suzu
Suzu Travels is an HP Tourism-registered travel agent based in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh — the home district of Naina Devi. Tell us which temples you want to visit and we’ll plan the route, the stays and the pace around you.
Questions pilgrims ask us
What is a tirth yatra?
A tirth yatra (तीर्थ यात्रा) is a pilgrimage to a sacred place — a tirtha, literally a “crossing place” between the everyday and the divine. In India it can be one temple, like Kedarnath, or a circuit such as the 12 Jyotirlingas, the Char Dham of Uttarakhand or the Devi shrines of Himachal.
Which are the 12 Jyotirlingas?
Somnath (Gujarat), Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh), Kedarnath (Uttarakhand), Bhimashankar (Maharashtra), Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh), Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra), Vaidyanath (Deoghar, Jharkhand), Nageshwar (Gujarat), Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Grishneshwar (Maharashtra). Some traditions place Vaidyanath at Parli and Nageshwar at Aundha, both in Maharashtra.
How many Shakti Peeths are in Himachal Pradesh?
Five shrines are commonly called the Shakti Peeths of Himachal: Naina Devi (Bilaspur), Jwala Ji, Brajeshwari (Kangra Devi) and Chamunda (all in Kangra), and Chintpurni (Una). Jwala Ji, Brajeshwari and Naina Devi appear in the classical 51-peetha lists; Chintpurni’s body-part tradition is disputed, and Chamunda is revered as a great Devi temple rather than a classical peetha.
Which nine temples make up the Nau Devi Yatra?
The traditional nine are Vaishno Devi, Mansa Devi (Panchkula), Kali Mata (Kalka), Shakumbhari Devi (Saharanpur), Naina Devi, Chintpurni, Jwala Ji, Brajeshwari and Chamunda. Many packages swap Kalka and Shakumbhari for Baglamukhi (Kangra). Allow about 9 days from Delhi, or 7 days from Chandigarh.
When does the Char Dham Yatra 2026 close?
The 2026 closing dates are fixed by tradition and announced by the temple committees: Badrinath’s date is announced on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026; Kedarnath and Yamunotri close on Bhai Dooj and Gangotri on Annakut (around 10–11 November 2026). We update our closing-dates post as soon as they are announced.
When is the Amarnath Yatra 2027?
The 2027 dates have not been announced yet. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board usually announces them in spring and opens registration around mid-April. In 2026 the yatra ran from 3 July to 28 August (57 days). Pilgrims must be 13–70 years old, carry a compulsory health certificate and collect an RFID card.
Is registration needed for Char Dham and Vaishno Devi?
Yes. Char Dham pilgrims must register on the Uttarakhand government’s portal (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) or app, and Kedarnath helicopter tickets are sold only on heliyatra.irctc.co.in. Every Vaishno Devi pilgrim needs a free RFID yatra card from the Shrine Board (online.maavaishnodevi.org or the Katra counters) and must cross Banganga within 6 hours of getting it.
Can senior citizens do these yatras?
Most can. The 12 Jyotirlingas, Kashi–Ayodhya–Prayagraj and the Himachal Devi temples are road-and-ropeway journeys. Kedarnath (about 16 km on foot from Gaurikund) and Vaishno Devi (about 12 km) have pony, palki, battery-car or helicopter options. Amarnath has an age limit of 70. We plan the pace, hotels near the temples and the slower days around each pilgrim.
Keep exploring
Yatras & circuits
Planning guides
Bookable yatras on Suzu Travels
Sources
- Shri Somnath Trust — FAQ and darshan
- Uttarakhand Tourism — Char Dham registration portal
- IRCTC HeliYatra — the only official Kedarnath helicopter booking
- Shri Badrinath–Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee
- Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board — online services
- Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board
- HP Kangra district — Kangra pilgrimage
- Incredible India — Shree Naina Devi Temple
- Manimahesh Yatra — HP government registration
- Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust
- Wikipedia — Jyotirlinga
- Wikipedia — Shakta pithas
- Wikipedia — Saat Behna (seven sister goddesses)
Legends are retold in our own words as traditions, not historical claims. Illustrations and animations are original artwork by Suzu Travels and show stylised temples, not exact likenesses.
