The northeast also takes pride in having some of the famous pilgrimages. A few of them are visited not only by Indians from various nooks of the country but also by people from other countries. And no matter which religion you belong to or practice, North-east India has religious places for every religion. Let us discuss some of the best pilgrimage sites in the Northeast.
TOP 05 RELIGIOUS DESTINATION
1. Kamakhya Devi Temple, Assam
Located on the top of Nilanchal Hill in the capital city of Assam, Guwahati, Kamakhya Devi Temple is one of the most famous Hindu religious places in the northeast. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, who is believed to bestow tantric powers. It is also one of the 51 Siddha Shaktipeeths in the country. Every year a 3-days fair is conducted in June at the temple, which is called ‘Ambubasi Mela’. It is believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her yearly menstruation cycle during these three days. The fair is attended by saints, pilgrims, tantric, tourists from different corners of the country. During these three days, the temple remains closed and on the 4th day, the goddess is bathed by the priests in the temple.
2. Hajo Powa Mecca, Assam
Perched on top of the Garurachala Hills, Hajo Powa Mecca is a significant pilgrimage center for the Muslim community. When looking for places to visit in the Northeast, consider going to this mosque which is one of the oldest in the Northeast and you will also be able to find the tomb of Pir Giasuddin Auliya, who was an Iraqi prince and later turned into a preacher. During the time of Urs, you can witness a huge crowd of pilgrims from all across the country.
3. Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang Monastery, a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Northeast was founded in the 19th century and is one of the largest monasteries in Asia. The monastery is located at Tawang Valley and looks majestic. Tawang Monastery is visited by millions of tourists as well as devotees from across the country. Visiting this monastery will not only enable you to admire the beauty of the holy destination but you will also be able to get some peace of mind.
4. Parsuram Kund, Arunachal Pradesh
Situated on the lower banks of the Lohit River in the Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh is yet another famous pilgrimage destination of North East India, the ‘Parsuram Kund’. According to mythological legends, the holy kund sits at the very site where in puranic times, Lord Parsuram took a dip and washed off his sins of killing his own mother. Being a significant religious site, pilgrims in huge numbers flock here to take a dip in its holy waters and the number gets double-fold on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sakranti which falls in the month of January every year. Flanked by beautiful hills, and virgin forests and blessed with stupendous natural beauty, the place is no less than heaven; one can sit on the riverside for hours, gazing at the natural beauty and taking in the purity and divinity deeply filled in the air.
5. Bomdila Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
Established in 1965, the ‘Bomdila Monastery’, located in west Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, is yet another significant site of Buddhism pilgrimage in North East India. The monastery was set up by the twelfth reincarnation of Guru Rinpoche in 1965 and was further blessed by His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama in the year 1997. One of the most important Buddhist pilgrim centers and a major tourist attraction in Arunachal Pradesh, needless to say, it invites countless pilgrims and tourists every year. Inside the sacred gompa, visitors will find a prayer hall, a temple of Buddha, residential quarters for the lamas, and a study center for young monks who want to pursue a monastic life. Perched at a height of 8000 ft., surrounded by snow-clad Himalayan peaks, lush forests, and stupendous natural beauty, the ‘Bomdila Monastery’ is not only a place for spiritual enlightenment but, also an ideal spot to take in the essence of nature. The best time to plan your visit to this monastery is during the festivals of Losar, Saka Dawa, or Lhabab Duechen when various enchanting rituals and ceremonies performed here, are sure to leave you captivated and charmed for years.
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