What comes to your mind when you think of having a destination wedding? Probably picturesque resorts, exotic international destinations, secluded mountains or pristine beaches must have hit your mind. Too mainstream, let’s go a little off track! Since Indian Weddings have always been revered as sacred occasions and religious places have served as wedding venues across, choosing a holy destination to tie the knot seems like a perfect plan in the not so religious millennial weddings.

Sacred places offer and unparalleled charm along with a touch of spirituality and can add meaning and sanctity to your wedding. The serene aura of these holy places is sure to give an unmatched experience to everyone who witnesses the special occasion. So think of it as a destination wedding with a divine vibe!

So, here we enlist the most spiritual and religiously significant cities of India to host the most off-beat wedding your guests could've ever imagined of!

Sacred Destinations in India to Tie the Knot

1. Hampi

Famous for the magnificent Virupaksha Temple, Hampi is an ancient village in the heart of Karnataka. It is an ideal place for couples who have a thing for fancy architecture and majestic hand-carved temples. Hampi has a spiritual aura and its beauty is perfect to host a destination wedding.

2. Pushkar

Pushkar is a holy city in Rajasthan, surrounded by lakes and ghats. This city is home to the only Brahma temple in the world. Pushkar also boasts of more than 400 milky blue temples. The city exudes spiritual feels like every nook and corner hums with chants, drums and gongs. Offering a serene environment to solemnize your grand celebration, Pushkar is a perfect place to tie a knot with your beau.

3. Mahabalipuram

This gorgeous temple town on the shores of the Bay of Bengal is about 60kms from Chennai. The much admired and beautiful wedding of Ananya and Krish, in the movie 2 states was hosted at Shore temple, Mahabalipuram and it gave us some major destination wedding goals. The beauty and serenity of this town will add a peppy and auspicious vibe to your grand celebrations.

4. Rishikesh

This gorgeous temple town on the shores of the Bay of Bengal is about 60kms from Chennai. The much admired and beautiful wedding of Ananya and Krish, in the movie 2 states was hosted at Shore temple, Mahabalipuram and it gave us some major destination wedding goals. The beauty and serenity of this town will add a peppy and auspicious vibe to your grand celebrations.

5. Varanasi

Millions of people visit Varanasi to take a holy dip in the River Ganga. Also known as Banaras or Kashi, this city is of utmost religious significance in Hinduism. It is by far the most fascinating destination to host your wedding amidst the spirituality of the sacred river Ganges.

6. Amritsar

Inextricably linked with the history of Sikhism, Amritsar is amongst the most revered sites of the world. It is home to the most sacred of Sikh shrines, including the magnificent Golden Temple. Along with the spiritual vibe, the city also offers an inexhaustible list of delicacies for your guests to drool over.

7. Madurai

Chennai may be the capital of Tamil Nadu, but Madurai claims its soul. Said to draw its name from Lord Shiva and the nectar that was showered on the city from his matted hair, Madurai is also commonly referred to as ‘Temple City’. The skyline of Madurai is dominated by the 14 colourful gopurams (gateway towers) of the Meenakshi Amman Temple which beautifies the look of the city. You must definitely consider this city to start a love filled journey with your beau.

8. Nashik

Nashik is an ancient holy city in Maharashtra and is known for its link to the great epic ‘Ramayana’. Nashik draws its name from a particular scene of Ramayana where Lakshman cuts the nose of the lady-demon Surpankha, as per the wish of Lord Rama. Nashik is also the host of the great Kumbh Mela that takes place every 12 years. Famous for its cultural importance and vineyards, Nashik should be on your list to host your destination wedding.

9. Konark

Built around the famous Sun Temple, Konark is a beautiful town in Odisha. It is situated on the banks of the Bay of Bengal, 60kms from the capital city of Odisha. Konark is famous for the Sun Temple which is also known as the Black Pagoda, built exceptionally with Black granite. The charm of this town is sure to leave you spell-bound and is a perfect place for your dreamy destination wedding.

10. Ujjain

Ujjain is an ancient city in Madhya Pradesh and an important Hindu pilgrimage destination best known for its centuries-old Mahakaleshwar Temple. The city is blessed with plenty of ancient temples that date back to the 10th and 11th centuries. The heritage beauty of the place, along with sacred and divine ambience and well-connected transportation makes it an ideal wedding destination.

11. Rameshwaram

Rameswaram is a town on Pamban Island, in the southeast Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It’s known for Ramanathaswamy Temple, a Hindu pilgrimage site with ornate corridors, huge sculpted pillars and sacred water tanks. The town is famous for its serene beaches and has innumerable religious spots which makes it an apt location for a romantic yet spiritual destination wedding.

12. Tirupati

Tirupati is one of the holiest city in India and is also known as the ‘spiritual capital of Andhra Pradesh’. Tirupati is famous for its very popular Sri Venkateswara Temple aka Balaji temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The scenic beauty of the place located in the eastern ghats with a mountain range running along southeastern India provides the aptest spiritual vibes for the auspicious occasion of wedding.

13. Puri

Known as the resting place of Shiva, Puri is located in the heart of Odisha. Puri offers a wide variety of beautiful and picturesque locations both in and around the city along with the calmness of the sea. So, if you are looking for a beach destination that is also sacred and divine, then look no further, as Puri is your go-to place.

14. Khajuraho

Famous for its ancient temples that depict some of the finest art in the world, Khajuraho is sure to make you go gaga over its beauty and rich culture. It is located in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and is home to a lot of magnificent temple complexes. It is undeniably an offbeat location for couples who wish to solemnise their love at a not-so-ordinary destination.

Which holy destination are you getting married at? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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