A budget pilgrimage journey in India begins a spiritual awakening that is seeded in the serene banks of the Ganges, the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, and many other places that wear a rich cloak of history and spirituality. Every sacred destination preaches ideas of spirituality and establishes a connection with India’s rich history, diverse heritage, and unmatched faith that influences billions.

Budget Pilgrimage Sites Off the Tourist Radar

The budget-friendly sacred places in India offer an escape from the regular hustle and bustle of the modern world. The places amongst them that remain off the beaten path, ensure spiritual solace in solidarity, without the presence of too many people. An affordable spiritual journey brings forward the hidden gems that regular and well-known places of worship have overshadowed. These places provide a more intimate experience with authenticity, all while keeping the financial load light.

Criteria for selection

Affordability is one of the most important things to keep in mind before choosing a budget-friendly pilgrimage site. Transportation, food, and lodging are some of the inevitable expenses, and affordability concerning these must be taken into consideration while making choices. Another important criterion is to understand the spiritual importance the site holds. The off-beat pilgrimage sites often escape the eyes of mainstream tourists and thus allow opportunities for introspection and devotion, without the intervention of heavy crowds.

Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh

Lepakshi is a village in Andhra Pradesh. Located in the Anantapur Districts, this place is known to have roots in the epic Ramayana. It is believed that it owes its name to the incident in Ramayana when Jatayu got injured while saving Sita from Ravana and fell at Le Pakshi, the name of which comes from the command Lord Rama gave to Jatayu which means, “rise bird” in Telugu. Anyone with a keen interest in history and mythology must plan a budget pilgrimage to Lepakshi. The nearest railway station is 15 km away and cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad are connected by road. There are several budget accommodations for an affordable stay and pre-booking can help reduce the prices even further. A budget traveller must consider trying local cuisine at small local eateries for both affordability and an authentic experience.

Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh

Located on the Narmada River, Omkareshwar is a sacred island and is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India. It is located in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. A budget traveller can travel to Omkareshwar Road (Mortakka), which is the nearest railway station. It is well connected to Indore via roadway and taxis and buses are readily available from there. There are several budget hotels and guesthouses which provide all basic amenities. Apart from street food, one should also try the Prasadam distributed by the temples.

Dharmasthala, Karnataka

Dharmasthala’s history goes back several centuries. The popular tale about this place is that the guardian angels of Dharma brought the Shiva Linga to the temple. They instructed Birmanna Pergade, and his wife Ammu Ballalthi to establish a shrine dedicated to Lord Manjunatha. A budget traveller can choose to travel to the nearest railway station in Mangalore, from where regular buses are available. For a budget stay, several guesthouses and lodges are available that are very budget-friendly. Apart from local eateries and small cafes, Temple Annadanam is a great option for a budget traveller.

Hampi, Karnataka

Situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the Bellary district of Karnataka, Hampi is a historic village associated with the epic Ramayana. According to folktales, it is believed to be Kishkinda. This place is believed to have been ruled by Sugriva and is the same place where Lord Rama met Hanuman. The nearest towns are Hospet and the state capital, Bengaluru. A budget spiritual pilgrimage can start from Hospet Junction and then a local bus or taxi to Hampi. There are several budget guesthouses, hostels, and temple accommodations for a budget stay. To save on food expenses, one can opt for Temple Annadanam. Local eateries and mall cafés are also very reasonable.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, Karnataka

The Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is an ancient temple dating back to the 9^th century. It was built by the Gupta Dynasty. It is also known as Gavipiram Cave Temple and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The most unique feature of the temple is the annual solar phenomenon when the sunlight passes through the horns of the Nandi Statue and falls on the Shivalinga inside the cave, which occurs on the pious occasion of Makar Sankranti. The nearest railway station is in Bangalore and several buses connect various parts of Bangalore to Gavipuram. Budget hotels, guesthouses, and hostels are great choices for budget-friendly stays. Several local eateries and restaurants provide food at a reasonable rate.

Surkanda Devi, Uttarakhand

Surkanda Devi Temple is located in Uttarakhand and it is the site where the head of Goddess Sati fell. It is known for the Ganga Dussehra. It can be reached after a small trek from the village of Kaddukhal. The pilgrimage can begin from Dehradun or Mussoorie, from where a bus or a cab is easily available. The local Garhwali cuisine is not only budget-friendly but it also gives a peek into the food habits of the local population. Dhanaulti has several budget accommodations and one can also opt for camping in Dhanaulti for experiencing an outdoor experience.

Hemis Monastery, Ladakh

Hemis Monastery is the largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. It is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Drupa Lineage. It is famous for its collection of ancient relics, thangkas, and manuscripts. King Sengpe Namgyal established it in 1672. The nearest railway station is the Jammu-Tawi Railway Station from where a budget traveller can start the journey. There are taxis and local buses to reach Hemis Monastery from Leh and it takes 1 to 2 hours approximately. Leh can be convenient for a budget stay and opting for Ladakhi or Tibetan cuisine can provide a budget-friendly spiritual travel experience. There are several other budget-friendly Dhabas and Restaurants as well.

Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand

Pithoragarh is a popular spiritual travel destination. It is also known as “Mini Kashmir” because of its breathtaking scenic beauty. It has several historical sites, including forts and temples. It is home to Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple, which is a cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also close to other spiritual attractions like Thal Kedar, Patal Bhubaneshwar, Nag Mandir, and Askot Sanctuary. A budget pilgrimage can start from Tanakpur Railway Station. Buses and taxis are easily available from there. There are direct bus and cab services from Delhi as well as Haldwani. The local dishes are budget-friendly and tasty way of exploring the place and several budget staying options provide all basic amenities.

Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh

Chitrakoot has a rich cultural heritage. It has several temples and ghats. It is famous for its association with the Ramayana. According to popular tales, Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshman spent 11 years of their exile here. It is also known for the traditional practices that till today, attract scholars and spiritual seekers. Taking a train to Karwi railway station is the most budget-friendly way to visit this spiritual travel destination. It is also connected by road to major cities like Allahabad, Varanasi, and Satna. Dharamshalas and Ashrams are excellent options for a budget stay, apart from which there are hotels and guest houses. There are several budget eateries that serve authentic local cuisine and that too on a budget.

Unnakoti, Tripura

Unakoti is an important pilgrimage site for people who believe in Lord Shiva and his ideas. It is famous for its ancient rock carvings and murals. It is believed to be the resting place for Lord Shiva and one crore of other Gods and Goddesses while they were on their way to Kashi. The stones are the several Gods and Goddesses who were turned to stone by Lord Shiva’s curse for not being able to wake up before sunrise. A good start to this budget pilgrimage would be getting a train to reach the Kumarghat railway station. There are taxis and buses available from there to reach Kailashahar and then to Unakoti from there. Buses regularly are available from Agartala. There are many options for affordable lodging and local cuisine is also available at affordable prices.

Tips for Budget Pilgrimage Travel Packing lightweight and breathable clothes is important. It is also very important to understand the climate of the destination and then choose clothes and other necessities. Clothes should also be decent enough to respect the spiritual nature of the pilgrim destination. Essentials like portable chargers and travel locks are also to be carried while packing for such trips. For sustainable travel, it is advisable to carry a reusable water bottle and snacks. Keeping these things in mind, a spiritual soul must start planning for such a trip for a wholesome experience.