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Today’s fast-paced life, traffic noise, office deadlines and constantly ringing mobile phone notifications have made humans mentally tired. In such a situation, everyone wants to go to a place for some time where there is no hustle and bustle, no worldly noise, but only silence of nature, positive energy and spiritual peace all around. India has been a land of penance, meditation and self-discovery since time immemorial. However, many major pilgrimage sites of the country are surrounded by huge crowds and commercialism throughout the year, due to which many times people are not able to feel the inner peace that they need even after going there. If you are planning to meditate or connect with yourself in a secluded and energetic place away from the crowd, then these 10 serene spiritual places in India will fill your soul with immense peace.
The experience of meditation amidst the fresh air of the mountains and dense pine forests instantly stabilizes the mind:
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Kasar Devi (Uttarakhand): Kasar Devi Temple located near Almora is one of the three rare places in the world which come under the ‘Van Allen Radiation Belt’. Like Machu Picchu and Stonehenge, immense geomagnetic energy is found here. Celebrities like Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore and Bob Dylan had meditated deeply here. The calm atmosphere here and the view of the snowy peaks of the Himalayas easily takes the mind to void.
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Tawang Monastery (Arunachal Pradesh): Tawang Buddhist Monastery, situated at an altitude of about 10,000 feet above sea level, is the largest monastery in India and the second largest monastery in the world. The echoing sound of monks chanting amid the snow-capped mountains and the flying Buddhist prayer flags calm all the doubts in the mind and create a supernatural pause within.
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Triyuginarayan and Kalpeshwar (Uttarakhand): While there is a huge crowd in Kedarnath, Triyuginarayan village of Rudraprayag is extremely peaceful. It is believed that the marriage of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati took place here and the unbroken flame of that marriage is still burning today. Similarly, ‘Kalpeshwar’ included in Panch Kedar is the only Dham which remains open throughout the year and the silent valley there is unique for Sadhana.
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McLeodganj and Dharamkot (Himachal Pradesh): Being the residence of the Dalai Lama, the region is the center of a rich tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and meditation. A little above the main market, in the quiet hills of Dharamkot, there are many Vipassana centers and yoga ashrams, where one can explore the depths of the mind in solitude without any conversation.
Situated amid the natural diversity of South and North-East India, these sites are considered ideal for mental rejuvenation:
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Arunachal Hills, Tiruvannamalai (Tamil Nadu): The Arunachaleshwar Temple, considered a symbol of the fire element of Lord Shiva, and the Ashram of Maharishi Raman attract seekers from all over the world. Depression and mental disturbance go away just by sitting in the quiet hall of Raman Ashram and remaining silent. Performing the 14 kilometer ‘Girivalam’ (circumambulation) of Arunachal Mountain barefoot is considered to be a profound spiritual transformation.
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Majuli Island (Assam): Majuli, situated on the breast of Brahmaputra river, is the world’s largest river island. It is the center of ‘Satras’ (Vaishnava monasteries) established by the great 15th century saint Srimanta Sankardeva. The melodious beat of Dhol-Khol, the echo of Borgeet and the calm flow of the river take you on a journey to a peaceful spiritual world, completely different from the noise of the modern world.
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Gokarna (Karnataka): While Goa is known for its parties and loud music, Gokarna, located at a distance, is known for its serene beaches and the ancient Atmalinga temple of Lord Mahabaleshwar. Sitting in the quiet corners of Kudle Beach or Om Beach amidst the sound of ocean waves, doing yoga and meditation immerses the mind in deep relaxation.
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Pushkar (Rajasthan): The world’s only major Brahma temple and the serene Pushkar Lake surrounded by 52 sacred ghats provide a unique spiritual experience during the evening Maha Aarti. Sitting on the steps of the ghat, watching the lamps reflected in the water and listening to the echo of the drums makes one completely forget worldly worries.
If you’re looking for organized meditation and silence rather than a traditional temple visit, these two centers offer life-changing experiences:
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Auroville and Sri Aurobindo Ashram (Puducherry): Auroville is a global spiritual city beyond the boundaries of any religion or caste. The golden domed ‘Matrimandir’ situated in its center is completely designed for silent concentration. There is no idol or worship here; Only by sitting in front of the sunlight falling on the white marble does one connect with one’s inner self.
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Dhamma Giri, Igatpuri (Maharashtra): This is the world’s largest Vipassana meditation center. In a 10-day silent camp in ‘Vipassana’, the 2500-year-old meditation method of Gautam Buddha, a person is completely isolated from the outside world, phones, books and even interpersonal conversations. Situated in the valleys of Sahyadri, this center is best for those who want to attain a pure mind by cutting the roots of their mental disorders and stress.