With its rich tradition steeped in sacredness, India has become a venerable spiritual center and treasured destination for those who seek enlightened travel experiences. The scent of sandalwood, the sight of colorful marigolds scattered at the foot of deities, and the chanting of gurus in lotus position resonate with the soul. You will gaze in wonder at the sacrosanct cows that sit relaxed in the center of monsoon-scarred, four-lane highways complacently chewing their cud as six lanes of auto-rickshaws, bicycles, giant trucks, and horse-pulled carts deftly swerve around them. A firsthand glimpse of the Taj Mahal in Agra and the intricate facades of temple ruins in Kharajaho will undoubtedly impress you. Yet none of these experiences make India the world’s centerpiece of holiness. Instead, this divinity is found in the authentic warmth of the people who welcome you to their homeland and behind beaming smiles despite dire social circumstances. In India, life’s extremes are so prevalent that one cannot help but question its meaning and purpose. So before you begin your journey to this inspirational country, take a few minutes to learn about the profound religious underpinnings that have helped shape India’s unique culture over the centuries.

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Hinduism—A Way of Living Hinduism accounts for approximately 85 percent of the literally billion people who reside in India, and it is regarded as more of a philosophy than a religion. Within this practice are four key objectives for daily existence: dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.

Dharma—The Divine Law for All Aspects of Existence No single word in the English language can encapsulate the meaning of dharma. It is sometimes likened to “religion” or “duty,” but in Western society these words often conjure images of puritanical reverence. Hinduism defines dharma as the divine law that prevails over all existence. To help explain the philosophy of dharma, an analogy could be made that it is similar to being part of an orchestra. A violin is played in a very different manner than a flute yet they are playing the same portion of a musical score within an orchestra and how they blend together affects the overall harmony and beauty of the music. Hindus believe that dharma is the foundation for all aspects of life, and any actions they perform without observing their responsibility to the whole of creation will hinder their inner spiritual aspirations and ultimately bring misery as well as delay their salvation.

To reveal dharma in their everyday lives, Hindus follow the sacred teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, pay homage to Lords such as Bhrama, Vishnu, Krishna, and Shiva, and participate in daily rituals such as Yoga.

Haridwar, the Gateway to the Gods, and Rishikesh, Host of International Yoga Week You can witness one of the most beautiful acts of dharma in the ancient city of Haridwar, where the people greet every sunrise and sunset with a prayer ceremony along the banks of the sacred Ganges River. The waters serve as the lifeblood to the blessings of the Holy Trinity of Lord Vishnu, Shiva, and Bhrama and are believed to carry exoneration from sin. Stand close to Har-ki-Pauri, the main “ghat,” or steps leading to the river’s edge to watch the nightly aarti ceremony. Chanting holy men set oil lamps ablaze and swirl them in choreographed circles in front of the imposing Gangadwar Temple, and thousands of devotees release leaves filled with lighted candles, marigolds, and roses along with their heartfelt prayers into the river. Sacred Mother Ganga transforms these individual offerings into a Milky Way of twinkling universal light.

Haridwar, which is revered as the Gateway to the Gods, serves as the mouth from which hallowed truths are dispersed throughout the broad plains of northern India, and it leads to four pilgrimage areas in the Himalayan mountain range. One of these pilgrim routes begins a mere 15 miles away in Haridwar’s smaller, quieter sister city, Rishikesh, along the right bank of the Ganges River. The name Rishikesh proves more familiar to Westerners than Haridwar, since the Beatles visited Yogi Maharishi Mahesh’s ashram in the 1960s. Now touted as the Yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh is home to many famous Yoga ashrams and hosts the International Yoga Week every February.

Ananda - In the Himalayas, a Spa Resort Specializing in Rejuvenation If you are seeking a bit more luxurious “spiritual awakening” than you can find within the minimalist setting of an ashram, head for nearby Ananda - In the Himalayas, a destination spa resort balanced on a ridge overlooking Rishikesh. The winding road leading to the pristine 100-acre resort weaves through lush forest, leading you away from the stressors of daily existence. If you are really anxious to de-stress, you can take a helicopter from Delhi or the nearby airport just outside the town of Dehra Dun to the resort’s on-site helipad.

While the restored viceroy palace gives the resort’s grounds its distinctive mark, the services offered within the 21,000-square-foot spa will make an indelible impression on you. Achieving award-winning international status, Ananda ranks as the largest destination spa in India with 75 rooms and suites, and it offers signature Ayurvedic treatments as well as Yoga and fitness classes. Authentic healing rituals range from a synchronized four-hand massage to the euphoria-inducing Shirodhara, in which herbal oil will be poured onto your forehead to pacify your mind and body. Ayurvedic physicians will consult with you to determine your dosha (loosely defined as a person’s key composition) and what treatments will best rejuvenate and detoxify. The resort’s restaurant will even adapt menu items to coincide with your dosha, carefully balancing all three macronutrients and herbs for the proper functioning of your body. You will find a three-night stay here to be fleeting, so plan to stay at least a week; for more information visit anandaspa.com or call +91.1378.22.7500.

While visiting Ananda - In the Himaylayas, be sure to squeeze in a tour with the resort’s preferred operator, Mohan’s Adventure Tours & Travel, to the nearby cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh as well as treks through the surrounding national parks. These can be arranged through the hotel and prove to be second-to-none in the region.

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