| The unique yet beautiful rites associated with | | | | devotees. Lord Vishnu and his various incarnations are |
| Hinduism are the gift from the different ethnic groups | | | | worshipped in the holy temples of Tirupati and |
| of people from India to the world, who had been | | | | Rameshwarm in southern India, Jagannath Puri |
| following these rituals since centuries. Interaction | | | | temples in eastern coast and their presence is |
| between the members of different ethnicities | | | | welcomed in the temples of Badrinath , Haridwar and |
| resulted in creation of "Vedism" which believes in | | | | Vridanban in North. Similarly, Lord Shiva is believed to |
| worshipping the trinity of Rain, Sun and Fire Gods. In | | | | dwell and bless the devotees visiting the sacred |
| course of time, a wide variety of religious beliefs and | | | | shrines of Kedarnath and Amarnath. The Vaishno |
| customs, ranging from the simple animistic worship of | | | | Devi cave has gained its holiness from Goddess |
| nature spirits in the rock, tree and river to highly | | | | Vaishno also known as Maa Shakti. Balaji is another |
| codified rituals, carved their niches in the liberal | | | | popular destination for pilgrims who believe in Lord |
| platform of Hinduism. | | | | Hanuman and sing his praise through Hanuman Chalisa. |
| This interesting co-existence of two approaches has | | | | Two other famous Hindu Pilgrimage sites are the |
| left its impact on Hindu pilgrimages. The sites of Hindu | | | | places of origin of holy river Yamuna and Ganga , |
| pilgrimage are associated with river, lake, mountain, | | | | known as Gangotri & Yamunatri. Other popular |
| forest and cave, reflecting its animistic approach. | | | | pilgrimage destinations in India include Varanasi, the |
| Practising of strict rituals is another important basis of | | | | cultural capital of Hindus; Pancha Bhutha Linga |
| Hinduism that can be seen at places of holy worship. | | | | temples; the Shakti Pitha temples; the Nava Graha |
| The modern Hindu religious beliefs center on three | | | | Sthalas; the four Maths of Sri Adi Shankaracharyak |
| major Hindu gods cults - worship of Shiva, Vishnu and | | | | and the seven holy rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna, |
| Shakti. Hindu sacred places are often linked with the | | | | the Saraswati, the Godavari, the Narmada, the Kaveri |
| blessings of this trinity worshipped by the majority of | | | | and the Sarayu. |