Mokshadayini Saptapuris- Seven Sacred Cities In India That Provide Salvation

                                      

‘Moksha’ is paramount in India, a country of faith and belief. ‘Moksha’ (salvation) means liberation, which liberates man from the cycle of life & death and attains Nirvana. In Hinduism attaining salvation is given great importance. According to the holy scripts of Hindus, there are seven holy cities (7 Holy Pilgrimage in India) in the country called the ‘Sapta Puris’ or the ‘Mokshadayini Sapta Puris’ which are believed to be the pilgrimage centers of attainment of salvation. ‘Sapta’ means seven and ‘puri’ means city. According to religious beliefs, these cities of Saptapuri reflect the unity and integrity of India despite cultural and linguistic diversity. Seven holy cities of India that come in Saptapuri are considered the holiest Hindu Teerths, which include Ayodhya, Mathura, Dwarka, Varanasi, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Kanchipuram. So today let me tell you about these seven cities of India which are called Mokshdayini Saptapuris:

        1.      Ayodhya  

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Ramlala, situated on the banks of river Saryu in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the most ancient and holiest cities. Its other name is also Saket. Believed to be more than 9000 years old, it was the capital of Raja Dashrath. Shri Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu was born in the holy land of Ayodhya. The city has been described as the city of Bhagwan in Vedas and is a place where Shri Ram renounced His human form and proceeded towards Vaikunth ( heaven). Owing to the belief as to the birthplace of Shri Ram, Ayodhya has been regarded as one of the seven holiest pilgrimages of Hindus and one of the most sacred places in India. The Ram temple here is the center of faith for Ram devotees present in every corner of the world.

Suggested read: 11 Must-Visit Temples In India

           2.    Mathura 

Mathura, the birthplace of Sri Krishna, situated near the famous cities of the state Vrindavan and Govardhan, in Uttar Pradesh, is also one of the seven holy cities of India.  This city believed to have been discovered by Shatrughan, the youngest brother of Sri Ram, is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who came to protect the earth from evil and the powerful king Kansa. As the birthplace of Sri Krishna, it is an important pilgrim place of the Hindus and one of the sacred cities in India. People from far and wide come here for the liberation of their ancestors.

Suggested read: 10 Unique And Interesting Temples To Visit In India

3.       Varanasi

The old name of Varanasi is Kashi. Popularly known as ‘ Shiv ki Nagri’ it is said to be the oldest and most holy city in India. There is a popular belief that if you die in the city and are cremated along the Ganges riverbank, you break the cycle of rebirth and ‘Moksha’ (salvation) becomes possible. There are around 20000 temples in the city. It is said that Lord Shiva created the holy city with his hands and that’s why it is said to be the spiritual capital of India. The land of Kashi is famous for Kashi Vishwanath and Maa Ganga Aarti. This city famous for its production of silk and brocades with gold and silver threadwork is also included in Saptapuri.

Suggested read: 11 Wealthy And Rich Temples In India

4.    Dwarka

Dwarka, the city of Krishna, is also one of the oldest cities in India. This holy city in Jamnagar of Gujarat is said to be the place where Sri Krishna spent his life after the assassination of king Kansa. The city was built by Sri Krishna Himself. This sacred Hindu pilgrimage town is renowned for the ‘Dwarkadheesh Temple’. The city’s name literally means ‘gateway’ and has always been referred to throughout its history as ‘Mokshapuri’. The holy city of Dwarka Dham is one of the Char Dhams, the other Dhams include Badrinath, Jagannath Puri, and Rameshwaram. This city is also included in the pilgrimage of salvation i.e. Saptapuri.

Suggested read: 13 One Thousand Years Old Temples in India

5.   Haridwar

Haridwar literally means 'Hari ka Dwar'(gateway of Bhagwan Vishnu). On hearing the

name of Haridwar, the mind becomes devotional. It is also one of the seven holy

pilgrimage sites for Hindus. 'Har-ki-Pauri' is the place where Ganga landed first. Hari 

here means Bhagwan Vishnu. Situated along the river Ganges, it is considered one of 

the most sacred cities in the world. It is famous for its temples and ghats where

people bathe to relieve themselves of their sins and achieve salvation. It also serves 

as a gateway to several prominent places of worship as Hindus come here for

ritualistic bathing in the holy water of the river Ganga before going to the Char Dham 

pilgrimage.

Suggested read: 10 Most Beautiful Temples In India

6.  Ujjain

This small and holy city is also known as Ujjayini and Avantika. Also called the city of Mahakal, situated on the banks of river Kshipra is one of the Sapta Puri – seven sacred cities of India. Out of the 12 Jyotirlings, Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling of Shiva is situated here. It is said that Lord Shiva is the king of Ujjain city. Here Ujjain Kumbh Mela or the Simhastha Mela is organized every twelve years. This city is also included in Saptapuri.

Suggested read: 12 Jyotirlingas -Temples of Lord Shiva

7.  Kanchi

Kanchi i.e. Kanchipuram also known as City of Temples and City of Gold, is a holy place situated on the banks of Vegavathi River in Tamil Nadu and one of the seven sacred shrines of India. The city known as the Kashi of the south is believed to have been created by Bhagwan Brahma, the creator of the Universe. Kanchipuram, a city of 1000 temples, is a Tamil word formed by combining two words ‘Kanchi’ meaning Brahma, and ‘Puram’ meaning residential place. It is also one of the seven cities that provides ‘liberation’.

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