Holy Cities of India

Holy Cities of India

By - Akshaj Adiyodi

​Holy cities of India include Ayodhya, Haridwar, Varanasi, Mathura, Kanchipuram, Ujjain and Dwarka

​Ayodhya is a city situated on the banks of the holy river Saryu in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh with an area of 79.8 km². Ayodhya is regarded as one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, revered because of its association in the great Indian epic poem Ramayana with the birth of Rama and with the rule of his father, Dasharatha. Ayodhya was stated to be the capital of the ancient Kosala kingdom. Hence it was also referred to as "Kosala".​ From the 7th Century BC to the Middle of the 18th Century (1986), traces show Ayodhya is one of the oldest cities in India, as old as Kashi (Varanasi), and was known as 'Saketa' in the ancient period.

Ayodhya

​

​Haridwar is an ancient city and important Hindu pilgrimage site in North India's Uttarakhand state, where the River Ganga exits the Himalayan foothills. Haridwar's long standing position as a great source for Ayurvedic medicines and herbal remedies as well as its unique Gurukul school of traditional education, the scenic beauty and lush greenery. Haridwar translates to "The Gateway to Vishnu". It earns this name because it is typically the place where pilgrim's start their journey to visit a prominent temple of Vishnu – Badrinath.

Area: 12.3 km²

Haridwar

Varanasi is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C. The sacred river of Ganga flows through this city. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganga River’s sacred waters. Along the city's streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Every year, thousands of devotees come here to take a dip in the sacred water, which is also called 'GANGAJAL'. Varanasi is also known as Kashi or Banaras.

Area: 82 km² ​

Varanasi​

Mathura is a sacred city in Uttar Pradesh, northern India. The deity Lord Krishna is said to have been born on the site of Sri Krishna Janma Bhoomi, a Hindu temple. Mathura is well-known as the abode of Lord Krishna, where he spent his childhood, adolescent years and some part of his adulthood too. Many temples dedicated to Lord Krishna was built and worshipped in, was located in this holy city.

Area: 39 km²

Mathura

Kanchipuram, also known as Kanchi, is an ancient city in southern India’s Tamil Nadu state. Considered a holy pilgrimage site by Hindus, it is home to many temples. Kanchipuram is also known as 'Conjeevaram'. Known as the City of Thousand Temples, Kanchipuram is known for its temple architectures, 1000-pillared halls, huge temple towers. Kanchipuram is a Tamil word formed by combining two words "Kanchi" and "-puram" meaning "Brahma" and "residential place".

Area: 36.14 km² ​

Kanchipuram

Ujjain also known as the 'City of Mahakal' is an ancient city beside the Kshipra River in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. An important Hindu pilgrimage destination.

​It is also known by the names Ujjaini, Avanti, Avantika and Avantikapuri. Ujjain is home to one of Lord Shiva's 12 Jyotirlingas and also happens to be one of the Saptapuris. Every 12 years, the Sinhastha fair takes place on the city's elaborate riverside ghats, as do yearly celebrations of the river goddess Kshipra.​

​Area: 151.8 km²​

Ujjain

Dwarka is an ancient city in the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat. It’s known as a Hindu pilgrimage site. The ancient Dwarkadhish Temple has an elaborately tiered main shrine, a carved entrance and a black-marble idol of Lord Krishna. The ancient city of Dwarka, is said to have sunk beneath the Arabian Sea. Now, underwater archaeologists are looking for the foundations of its city walls to prove its existence. Dwarka was were Lord Krishna spent most of his childhood.

​

Area: 56.48 km²

Dwarka

​

Quiz Time!

Fill in the Blank

The city of Ayodhya was associated with which Hindu sacred book?

Multiple Select

Which of these sacred cities is aslo known as the 'City of Mahakal'?

• Ujjain

• Avanti

• Varanasi

• Kashi

• Mathura

Fill in the Blank

The ancient city of _______ is said to have sunk beneath the Arabian Sea.

Multiple Choice

How big is the city of Kanchipuram?

• 56.48 km²

• 151.8 km²​

• 36.14 km² ​

• 82 km²

• 79.8 km²

Multiple Choice

What does 'Haridwar' mean?

• 'The Way to Vishnu'

• 'The Gateway to Vishnu'

• 'The Gate to Vishnu'

• 'The Gateway of Vishnu'

Multiple Choice

Where was the Birthplace of lord Krishna?

• Mathura

• Dwarka

Multiple Choice

What is the other Name for Banaras?

• Avantika

• Kashi

• Conjeevaram

• Kosala

Thank You