America today is more health-conscious than ever. In addition to creating new exercise routines and workouts, Americans have also begun practicing international techniques and even ancient ones.
One of these practices is the art of yoga. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual exercise that is intended to increase flexibility, work the mind, and help the body find balance. Yoga has also been proven to reduce stress and improve mental health, and this art form/exercise emerged from ancient India. With that said, if you are a practitioner of yoga looking to visit great yoga destinations, here are the ten best ones in India.
10 Rishikesh
First up on this list is a place known as the "Yoga capital of the world," and it is every serious yogi's dream to visit Rishikesh. Located in the Northern State of Uttar Pradesh, Rishikesh sits nestled among the Himalaya Mountains and offers an incredibly beautiful landscape for visitors and tourists.
In addition to the surrounding mountain range, Rishikesh sits next to the Ganga River, which offers serenity to meditators and yogi's and also bears significant importance to Indians and Hindus. Rishikesh houses expert gurus, masters, saints and sages, so visiting yogis have the opportunity to learn from them and expand their mind.
9 Goa
Next, upon this list, we head south to the coastal state of Goa. Goa is located right on the coast and is a popular tourist destination for beach-goers and party-goers, but it is also an incredible place yogis must visit.
In addition to having the serenity of the ocean to practice their art with, following the monsoon months, when many sages and gurus open their institutions, yogis can take classes and learn from revered masters on a variety of topics such as enlightenment. Tourists in Goa can also experience southern India's herbal medicinal practices and experience ayurvedic (whole-body) medicine first-hand.
8 Kerala
Following Goa is another southern Indian state by the name of Kerala. Kerala is a popular tourist destination due to its backwater lakes and incredible culture. Yogis who visit Kerala will find peace of mind when practicing their art and will be able to experience traditional Indian cultures first hand.
Some things to do when not practicing yoga in Kerala would be to take an adventure on a house-boat or go to one of the hundreds of Hindu temples in the region that frequently host festivities that are a delight to watch and incredible to participate in if you're up for it.
7 Dharamsala
Next on this list is a cheap destination for yogis, Dharamsala. Dharamsala is located in the North like Rishikesh and is located in the mountains of northern India. For a brief period of time, Dharamsala served as the place of refuge for the Dalai Lama who fled religious persecution in Tibet.
Dharamsala is home to the renowned Tushiti Meditation Center and attendance has been described as a life-changing experience. Those who visit this institution can study Buddhist traditions as well as Tibetian ones and practice mindfulness and body balance. Yogis who visit Dharamsala can also visit nearby places such as Bhagsu.
6 Gokarna
Next, we have Gokarna, located in Uttar Kannada, on the Western Coast of India. Gokarna is home to incredibly fantastic yoga schools and institutions and houses numerous ashrams, meditation centers, and retreat locations. Gokarna is not only a popular tourist destination for yogis, but also for regular visitors in India due to its numerous attractions. Some of these attractions are the sandy beaches of Gokarna that have palm trees and blue waters for people to enjoy. In addition to the nature aspect of Gokarna and the beautiful scenery, the town and its inhabitants have been described as energetic, charming and attractive.
5 Mysore
Mysore, located in southern India, is also a popular destination for yogis like Rishikesh and is considered to be the birthplace of modern yoga or 20th-century yoga. Mysore was home to the great Sri Krishnamacharya and BKS Iyengar, one of his students who helped spread the knowledge of yoga to the western world.
In addition to the yoga culture of Mysore, it is also the Ashtanga yoga capital of the world, which is a different form of modern yoga. Mysore is also home to popular tourist attractions such as the Mysore Palace, Mysore zoo, numerous temples, and even historic palaces.
4 Pune
Pune is located next to the bustling city of Mumbai in the India state of Maharashtra and is a popular yogi destination because of the famous yoga teachers who reside in this beautiful city. Pune is home to the aforementioned BKS Iyengar and Osho, two popular figures in the yoga community. Followers of yoga flock to Pune as a pilgrimage or an initiation to study from these masters themselves. Fans of Iyengar yoga can study it in Pune at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute and Osho followers can attend the Osho International Meditation Resort to learn more about it.
3 Auroville
Next on the list is Auroville, which is located next to Pondicherry, also known as Puducherry. Pondicherry was once a Portuguese colony, and this culture is reflected in the traditions and architecture of the area. Auroville is home to the Integral yoga community and the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, a revered figure in the yoga community.
Integral yoga invites yogis to view the world in a more spiritual sense and to forge a deeper vision of the world. In addition to practicing yoga, tourists in this city can visit the Matramandir structure, a place intended for silence and spiritual discovery.
2 Varanasi
Next is an incredibly important and historic town, Varanasi. Varanasi has been around for 3,000 years and has been referred to as Banaras or Kashi. To be an important yoga destination, Varanasi is also a religious site for Hindus as it sits next to the holy river Ganga and has numerous temples devoted to Lord Shiva. Varanasi is also a pilgrimage location and is an important location for spirituality, philosophy, mysticism, and Ayurveda. Yogi's visiting Varanasi can not only immerse themselves in learning yoga but can also immerse themselves in the culture and traditions of this city.
1 Wayanad
Finishing off this list is the southern city of Wayanad, located in the state of Kerala near the tech hub of India, Bangalore. Wayanad is set in the Western Ghats and sits atop a hill at an elevation of 6800 feet. Wayanad is not only a beautiful hill station in southern India, surrounded by nature, but it also offers a serene setting for spiritual understanding and yoga practices. Yogis who go to Wayanad will be offered a serene space in the middle of nowhere to connect with themselves, and the world, and attain a perfect balance of mind and body.