National Tourism Day 2026: 7 Spiritual Cities For Soul-Searchers

What is National Tourism Day?

[{"selector":"#anim-c5a7528a-08f9-40a5-8a06-e522bdbb1999","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-21bde1af-ac2c-4309-ac7e-15f16dcaeb52","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] National Tourism Day in India is celebrated every year on January 25 and highlights tourism’s key role in boosting the country’s economy. Credits: Unsplash

1. Rishikesh

[{"selector":"#anim-eb60c16c-27e1-47b3-b813-ff82df85b290","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f2fbc11-a6c1-42e7-bc66-3d39d996b945","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It is one of the best spiritual cities in India. Rishikesh is known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ with many temples and ashrams for soul-searchers. Credits: Unsplash

2. Varanasi

[{"selector":"#anim-ed9a1d4c-7b1b-4117-9f5d-8a9b6fff4e54","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4b71faf-2eeb-44f2-a300-b60370186f21","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Known for its ghats, the famous Ganga aarti, and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, this city is the spiritual city of Lord Shiva that attracts many soul-searchers. Credits: Unsplash

3. Amritsar

[{"selector":"#anim-3f2df964-14ed-4ad5-b208-ccea56fb3907","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c48556e4-7b66-4ff7-af03-d6b0753e5312","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Home to the Golden Temple, it is widely considered a deeply spiritual city in India. Amritsar is also known for its rich history. Credits: Unsplash

4. Ujjain

[{"selector":"#anim-c7c848e7-c7f2-4485-9aa5-37e95ceccaf0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-17cc43b3-b42f-4571-8a80-fa52800260a2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 209.81081%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Home to Lord Shiva’s Mahakaleshwar Temple, it is a deeply spiritual city often visited by soul-searchers seeking peace of mind. Credits: Unsplash

5. Puri

[{"selector":"#anim-411008c6-1ae2-499b-9ec2-9c69e5f3654a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-251dc17d-e449-405c-9708-c48fbb57ee05","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Located in Odisha, Puri is a sacred coastal city known for the revered Jagannath Temple. This city is also a great destination for solo travellers. Credits: Unsplash

6. Haridwar

[{"selector":"#anim-3b273a2e-2bb7-43e0-a0e5-445908825872","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d56872f6-cb2d-4f70-a1fb-119457648704","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Haridwar is one of India’s holiest cities, with its temples and Ganga aartis attracting millions of soul-searchers from around the world. Credits: Unsplash

7. Dharamshala

[{"selector":"#anim-2d6f25ad-81bc-4a6b-9357-ac6cc52db892","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-02c407fa-94c9-4ae2-bcbc-0d57708e221a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It is a spiritual hill city in Himachal Pradesh, known for its Buddhist monasteries and as the home of the Dalai Lama. Credits: Unsplash