Religious tourism, also commonly referred to as faith tourism, is a form of tourism, where people travel individually or in groups for pilgrimage, missionary, or leisure (fellowship) purposes. The world's largest form of mass religious tourism takes place at the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. North American religious tourists comprise an estimated $10 billion of the industry. Andhra Pradesh is visited by innumerable pilgrims from all over the globe. The pilgrims visiting the state come here majorly to discover the glorious temples. Just like the temples in other states of South India, temples of Andhra Pradesh are also outstanding in architecture and are wonderful to look at.
Birla Mandir, Hyderabad
Birla Mandir is a magnificient temple built entirely in marble, with great architectural significance. It was built by the Birla Foundation in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. The temple complex overlooking the southern side of Hussain Sagar, offers a magnificient panoramic view of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It presents a colorful spectacular sight when illuminated at night.
Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad
One of the ancient Masjid in the city of Hyderabad is the Mecca Masjid. It is also the one of the largest among the religious buildings in Hyderabad. Construction of this Masjid was started by Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah in around1617. Rangiah Choudhary and Mir Faizullah Baig were in charge of the supervision of the construction of the Mecca Masjid-Hyderabad.
Mukteshwara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram
The temple which needs special mention and which is very popular with its historical details and the popularity with the devotees is Mukteshwara Swami Temple. The most unique feature of this temple is that there are two Shiva Lingams on the same pedestal. Of the two the Smaller Linga to the left side is of the Kaleshwara Swami (Kala means Lord Yama, the king of death) and the bigger one on the right hand side is of the Mukteshwara Swami.
Tiruchanur, Tirupati
Tiruchanur, the abode of Goddess Sri Padmavathi Devi, is one of the highly venerated places in the South, located five kms. From Tirupati, the temple dedicated to Sri Padmavathi Devi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara, attracts thousands of devout pilgrims every day. The Goddess, also known as Alamelu Manga, is the inexhaustible source of compassion and love. Karnataka's pilgrim Centres are excellent examples of its rich cultural heritage and attract thousands of devotees all throughout the year. This has been a school of thought for many Philosophers and Philosophies.
Chamundi Hill
Chamundi Hill is one of the landmark tourist attractions of Mysore. Chamundeeswari or Durga is the fierce form of Shakti who vanquished the demon Mahishasuran. A colorful image of the demon greets visitors as they reach the summit of the hill. Also on this temple are several images of Nandi (the bull mount of Shiva). The best known of these is the collossal Nandi on the 800th step on the hill.
Stavanidhi
It is 5 Kms from Nipani town and 60 Kms from Belgaum. There are 4 Jain temples at stavanidhi. The huge idol of Brahamadev is very miraculous. The people of all faith visit the temple of Bhramdev to fulfill their desires.
Gokarna
Cow's Ear- for that's what `Gokarna' actually means- is a mundane way of describing a place as pretty as this. Named for the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers, Gokarna is noted more as a pilgrimage centre than as a beach. History has it that the Atmalinga brought by Ravana got struck here and his efforts to extricate it resulted in his throwing the coverings of the Linga to Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwara, Murdeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples.
Udupi
Udupi is a divine shrine in the coastal region of Western Ghats. It is a fairly large and upcoming town that was sanctum of Madhvacharya, the great Sanskrit Philosopher. The famous temple here has a fascinating idol of Lord Krishna that is richly adorned with jewels. A land of shrines dedicated to Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakti cults of Hinduism, Tamil Nadu is a land of culture and religion. The shrines range from the rock temples with huge Gopurams to the cave temples, shore temples and open-air bas-reliefs to the ones built in the Dravisian style of architecture, with wide Prakarams, ornamented with elegant sculptures and wall and ceiling paintings.
Sri Ekambareswara Temple
The deity Sri Ekambareswara here is in the form of 'Prithvi Lingam'. According to a legend, Kailash Parvathy, Shiva's consort, playfully closed his eyes bringing darkness to the entire world. Lord Shiva angrily cursed her to become black like Kali.
Sri Kailashnatha Temple
The 8th century temple was made by Rajasimha of the Pallava in red sandstone. Among the innumerable carvings, the Urdhva Tandava dance of Siva and the laughing face of Parvati are fabulous. The architecture of the temple looks like that of the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram.
Sri Vardaraja Perumal Temple
The highlight of the Vishnu Kanchi is the temple of Varadarajaswamy constructed by the Vijayanagar rulers. The amazing sculptures of the pillars and the ornamental rings carved out of single stone at the Four Corners of the mandapam attract attention.
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is also a prominent pilgrim centre. The paddy fields, coconut groves, mineral sands and blue waters give it beautiful surroundings. Named after the Goddess Kannyakumari Amman, the presiding deity of the area, it is said that Goddess Parvati in one of her incarnations as Devi Kanya did penance on one of the rocks here to get Lord Shiva as her husband.
Madurai
The lotus-shaped city built around Meenakshi Temple, Madurai is the oldest and second largest city of Tamil Nadu. Sri Meenakshi Sundareswara temple with fabulous carvings, huge Gopurams and a thousand-pillared 'Mandapam'. There are musical pillars here too that are carved out of a single granite rock and send out a musical note when tapped. Tamilian culture and religion has found a safe haven in the temple and it promotes and sponsors Tamilian literature, art, dance and music.
Rameshwaram
'Varanasi of the South, Rameshwaram is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage centres in India, second only to Varanasi itself. However, a pilgrimage to Varanasi too is not considered complete without a trip to the temple of Sri Ramanatha in the island of Rameshwaram, where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva on his way back from his triumphant expedition to Lanka. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The capital city of the State of Kerala in India is the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. Marthanda Varma, the noted among Travancore kings did a major renovation to the temple and it resulted in the present day structure of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple.
Sabarimala : The hill Temple of Lord Ayyappa
One of the most famous pilgrim centres in India, Sabarimala is situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 m above sea level and is accessible only by foot from Pamba .The temple is dedicated to Sree Ayyappa.
Kurisumala
This is renowned Christian pilgrim centre where hundreds of devotees from far and near converge during the holy week and after, to climb the hill in faith, carrying small wooden crosses. The peaceful Monastry at the top of the hill, the silence of the hills, the cool mountain air and the lush green landscape are all soothing to the soul.
Aranmula
The Parthasarathi Temple on the banks of the holy River Pamba attracts large crowds of devotees. The famed Aranmula boat race is held on the last day of the week-long Onam festival. The Parthasarathi Temple here has fine murals from the 18th century .Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors - Aranmula Kannadi.
Chavara Bhavan
Chavara Bhavan is the ancestral home of the blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara. It is now a holy shrine and spiritual resort where thousands of devotees gather for prayer, receive favours and feel amply gratified. Here, a 250 year old historically important beacon of light is preserved intact in its original and primitive form.
Thirunavaya
Situated on the banks of the River Bharathapuzha, this was one of the venues for Mamangam, a grand assembly of the rulers of Kerala, held once every 12 years. This extravagant festival was conducted for the last time in 1766. The Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple is also a famous pilgrim centre. During Karkidakavavu, people flock at the banks of River Bharathapuzha here, to perform the pithrukriya for the departed souls.
Jama-at Mosque, Malappuram
This is an important pilgrim centre of the Muslims of Kerala. The four day annual festival at the mosque is celebrated in April. Adjoining the mosque is the mausoleum of the Malappuram Shaheeds the three day long Valia Nercha feast at this 500 year old Muslim pilgrim centre, celebrated in February /March, is a local cultural event. Bharananganam
Bharananganam is a panchayat in Kottayam district of Kerala, This place has become a major pilgrimage tourist destination ever since the canonization of Sr. Alphonsa of this place, by the Pope at Vatican. The other pilgrimage places around Bharananganam are the churches at the native place of St. Alphonsa at Kudamaloor and Muttuchira which are visited by thousands of pilgrims.
Holy Cross Shrine, Thrissur
Closely associated with the emergence of Christianity in India is the Mapranam Holy Cross Shrine, near Azhikode at Mapranam in Thrissur district. As per one of the local beliefs on the origins of the Holy Cross Shrine at Mapranam, a Cross was unearthed from the Kuzhikattukon locality and placed there.The Mapranam Holy Cross Shrine is a unique one, where one could witness the practice of the cultural, spiritual and ethical values of different religions.
Guruvayoor
Guruvayoor is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna temple. According to belief, the temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of the Gods, and Vayu, the God of winds. The eastern nada is the main entrance to the shrine.
St. Thomas Memorial, Kodungalloor
St. Thomas is believed to have landed in Kodungalloor (formerly called Muziris) in 52 AD. The St. Thomas Church established by the apostle houses holy relics from the olden days.
Cheraman Juma Masjid
Cheraman Juma Masjid mosque in Kodungalloor resembles a Hindu temple in appearance. It was earlier made of wood. Built in 629 A.D. This is the first mosque in India where Juma prayers were started. The interiors remain wooden with a Kerala oil lamp right in the centre. This lamp is of great significance to people of all religions. Some of them bring oil for the lamp on the auspicious occasion of major family events.
Kodungalloor Bhagawati Temple
The Bhagawati Temple at Kodungallur is of great renown throughout Kerala. The Bharani festival at the Kodungallur Bhagawati Temple is one of the grandest in Kerala. It is a month of festivities from the Bharani asterism in the month of Aquarius to seven days after the Bharani asterism in the month of Pisces. During this occasion, one can also witness the largest congregation of oracles, not seen anywhere in Kerala.
St.Thomas Church
St.Thomas Church: Christ's apostle St Thomas is believed to have landed in Kodungalloor (formerly called Muziris) in 52 AD. The St.Thomas Church established by him houses ancient relics.
Kaladi
The birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya, the great Advaita philosopher of the 8th century. Temples dedicated to Sri Sankara, Sarada Devi, Sri Krishna and Sri Ramakrishna add to the sanctity of the destination. A place called Crocodile Ghat is where Sri Sankara took his vows of renunciation.
Malayattoor Church
Malayattoor is famous for the Catholic Church, located on top of the Malayattoor hill. Dedicated to St. Thomas the apostle of Jesus Christ, thousands of pilgrims gather here for the annual festival of 'Malayatoor Perunnal', held during the months of March /April.
Parassinikadavu Sri Muthappan Temple
This centre of worship and faith has in store many unique practices and rituals, and the temple architecture itself stands testimony to this aspect. The Parassinikadavu Muthappan (Siva) Temple on the banks of the Valapatnam River attracts people from all sections of the society; irrespective of religion, caste and promotes the essence of "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam - The whole world is one family."
Tali Temple
Built in the 14th century by Swamy Thirumulpad, the Zamorin, within his palace complex, this temple was the venue of Revathy Pattathanam, the annual cultural and intellectual event. The Tali Temple is a fine example of the total integration that can exist between wood and laterite, which is a remarkable feature of the Kerala style of architecture.
Mother of God Church
(Close to Beach Road) This church built in the Roman architectural style dates back to 1513 AD and is the only one of its kind in Kerala. A 200-year-old portrait of St. Mary adorns the wall of the 18th century Gothic cathedral built by Christian missionaries. Locally known as Valiyapalli, it is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic congregation in Malabar. Designed by Italian architects.