‘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
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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
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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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