Hinduism is NOT a Single Religion. Hinduism is not a term which identifies a single set of beliefs or ways of worship. Hinduism is the practices of a variety of different religious groups which come out of India. Origins - Hinduism developed from the religious practices of those who lived near the River Indus in modern day Pakistan. However Hinduism has been, and continues to be, influenced by the traditions, stories and practices of people from other parts of India and beyond. Hinduism does not have a holy site in the sense Islam (Mecca) or Judaism (Jerusalem) have holy sites, but there are common places of worship and pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is an important aspect of Hinduism. It's an undertaking to see and be seen by the deity. Popular pilgrimage places are rivers, but temples, mountains, and other sacred sites in India are also destinations for pilgrimages, as sites where the gods may have appeared or become manifest in the world. "Kumbh Mela" - Once every 12 years, up to 10 million people share in ritual bathing at the Kumbh Mela festival at Allahabad where the waters of the Ganges and Jumna combine. Hindus from all walks of life gather there for ritual bathing, believing that their sins will be washed away. The bathing is followed by spiritual purification and a ceremony which secures the blessings of the deity. "Varanasi" - this city, also known as Benares, is one of the most important pilgrimage centres. It is said to be the home of Lord Shiva where legend has it that his fiery light broke through the earth to reach the heavens. "River Ganges" - the river Ganges is the holiest river for Hindus and Varanasi is situated on its banks. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/index.shtml

The 12 shrines enshrining Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlingam, have been held in reverence since time immemorial in the Indian system of beliefs. It is believed that Shiva is always present within the bounds marked by the Jyotirlinga. Two are on the sea shore, three are on river banks, four are in the heights of the mountains and three are in villages located in meadows. 1 Somnath in Saurashtra (Kathiawad), Gujarat 2 Mallikarjun in Shrishailam or Srisailam AP (also listed as a Shakti Pitha site). 3 Mahakal in Ujjain OR Mahakalaswar at Ujjain, MP state. 4 Omkar in Mammaleshwaram (at Omkareshwar on the river Narmada, MP) 5 Vaijnath in Parli (Vaidyanath at Deogarh, Bihar) 6 Bhima Shankar in Dakini northwest of Poona, in Dhakini, Maharashtra 7 Rameshwaram in Setubandha, TamilNadu 8 Nagesh, Naganath/Nageshwar, in Darukavana, Maharaashtra 9 Vishweshwar/ Viswanath in Banaras/Varanasi , UP 10 Trimbakeshwar near Nasik on the banks of river Gautami/Godavari , Maharashtra 11 Kedarnath/Kedareshwar in Utterkhand Himalayas, UP 12 Ghurmeshwar in Shivalaya OR Grineshwar in Visalakam, near Ellora caves, Mah Other holy cities include: - Mathura, birth place of lord Krishna - Haridwar, a bath in the Ganges here is supposed to cleanse the soul.

Hinduism is not a religion, it is a way of life, Visit www.sanatan.org. For information on spirituality visit www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org.

There are plenty of Cities considered holy by Hindus. Varanasi, Mathura, Ayodhya, Prayag Raj, Badrinath, Kedar Nath, Dwarkapuri, Jagannath Puri, Rameswaram, Kanchi, Sri Rangam are some of the ancient holy places.