Four years ago, I moved from Delhi to Hyderabad. Looking back, I now realize this shift was not just geographical—it was deeply spiritual. Something within me longed for connection, for answers beyond the mundane struggles of life. It was during this time that I embarked on a journey to some of the most revered temples across southern India, each visit bringing me closer to the divine and uncovering layers of myself I never knew existed. Here are the shrines & devotional places which I have visited in last 4 years starting from 2021.

Srisailam & Mallikarjuna (2021)

Nestled in the Nallamala Hills, Srisailam is home to Lord Mallikarjuna, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. This temple represents the divine union of Shiva and Shakti, and as I walked through its corridors, I felt an inexplicable surge of strength and surrender. The legend speaks of Lord Shiva and Parvati descending to bless their devotees, and in that moment, I felt truly seen. I did Shiva-Abhishekam puja there, in which I recited with many other sitting in same hall, with our own shiv-linga swaroop, pouring water and performing pooja with the pujari reciting along “Om Namah Sivah – 108 times” making the whole area vibrate at a level where I felt disconnected from outside world and was walking inside my own light. The serene beauty and drive from Hyderabad to Srisailam is soulful and it makes you feel blessed at each turn.

Jogulamba Temple (2021)

I drove from Hyderabad on Bangalore highway towards Alampur, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Jogulamba, one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas. She is worshipped in her fierce form, signifying destruction and renewal. Standing before her, I felt a strong presence of transformation—a reminder that growth often comes through chaos and resilience. Here I saw the evening Aarti of 108 diyas, it was like standing inside the lights with devi herself, loud music sung the aarti of devi in the local language, though i couldn’t understand much of the words, but the vibration of unimaginable.

Bhadrakali Temple (2021)

In Warangal, I visited the Bhadrakali Temple, where the fierce yet benevolent form of Goddess Kali resides. The legend tells of her role in vanquishing evil forces, and as I bowed before her, I felt the courage to overcome my own battles, shedding fears that had long held me captive. The diety here is so big and soulful that one feels it is talking to you, i felt that she was asking me questions through her eyes and I just sat down for almost an hour near the main garb-greh and was just silent as tears rolled non-stop.

Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada (2022)

Perched atop Indrakeeladri Hill, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Kanaka Durga, the destroyer of demons. The legend of her slaying Mahishasura reminded me that inner strength, when awakened, can conquer even the darkest adversities. Since 2022 I have been regularly visiting this temple and I feel very peaceful once I see the main idol which is yellow in color and blesses me with her grace.

Tirupati Balaji (2023)

The moment I set foot in Tirumala, a wave of devotion swept over me, everyone kept saying “Jai Govinda”. Lord Venkateshwara, an incarnation of Vishnu, is believed to answer every prayer. I was blessed with arrangement of VIP passes , but still the the long wait in the queue, the rhythmic chanting, and finally, the fleeting glimpse of the deity—it all made me realize the power of patience and faith in divine timing. I got almost 5 mins of standing Infront of the main idol which in itself is a miracle due to the rush at that place.

Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Simhachalam, Vizag (2023)

This temple near Vizag houses Lord Narasimha in his Varaha (boar) form, representing protection and divine intervention. The tale of Prahlada’s unwavering devotion struck a chord within me, reinforcing my belief that faith can shield one from any storm.

Sri Gneeliwaneshwarar Temple, Padal Petra Temple, Trichy (2024)

A lesser-known gem, this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is steeped in mysticism. The belief that Lord Shiva himself appeared here as a healer gave me solace, a reminder that divine grace is always within reach. I visited this temple on 31st Dec 2024, I was struggling with language to explain the temple pujari that I wished to do the Abhishekam at the shiv-lingam, I had almost given up and was walking out of the main garb-greh, when suddenly a lady came and held my hand I couldn’t understand a word she said but I just followed her. She took me back to the main section where the shiv-lingam was their and she made me participate with locals the evening Abhishekam and shayan aarti of all god and goddesses of that temple. She just made me eat food from the temple also. It made me feel that goddess herself stood beside me and me do all the rituals, without even a word she just left the way she appeared.

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam (2024)

This grand temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu exudes peace and majesty. As I walked through its sprawling complex, I felt my worries dissipate, replaced by a deep sense of surrender to the divine plan. It was huge rush at the temple being 1st Jan, so I had to be in the longest que i have ever been for any darshan in past years. Its the biggest temple I have ever seen and its impossible for a person to see the whole temple in one day.

Rameshwaram Temple (2024)

A site of immense significance, Rameswaram is where Lord Rama worshipped Shiva before crossing to Lanka. Bathing in its sacred waters, I felt an immense sense of purification—both of body and soul.

Standing before the Shivlinga at Rameshwaram, I was overwhelmed by an indescribable energy, as if time itself had folded into this sacred moment. The centuries-old chants, the cool stone under my fingertips, and the sheer magnitude of devotion in the air filled my heart with profound reverence. I felt an inexplicable connection, as if Lord Shiva himself was acknowledging my journey, my struggles, and my faith. In that instant, I realized that true devotion is not in rituals alone, but in surrendering oneself completely to the divine.

Dhanushkodi (2024)

A ghost town at the edge of India, Dhanushkodi holds an eerie yet divine energy. The remnants of Rama’s bridge to Lanka whispered tales of faith and purpose, reminding me to trust the unseen path ahead.

The drive towards Dhanushkodi is unlike any other—a narrow strip of land flanked by the vast expanse of the Bay of Bengal on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. As I journeyed along this breathtaking road, I felt the sheer force of nature’s magnificence. When I finally reached the land’s end, I sat in silence, staring at the endless horizon where the sky met the sea. In that moment, I felt minuscule, a mere speck in the vastness of the universe. Yet, instead of insignificance, I felt liberation—the realization that life, like the ocean, is boundless, ever-changing, and profoundly interconnected.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Aurangabad (2025)

This temple, the last of the twelve Jyotirlingas, reinforced my belief in the cyclical nature of life and devotion. The legend of a woman’s unwavering faith reviving the lost Jyotirlinga filled me with hope and perseverance.

The experience of Sparsh Pooja and Abhishekam at Grishneshwar was nothing short of transformative. As I placed my hands on the sacred Jyotirlinga, I felt an electrifying surge of divine energy coursing through me. The rhythmic chants of the priests, the cool touch of the Shiva Lingam, and the scent of fresh flowers and sacred water created an atmosphere of immense spiritual power. It was as if the burdens I carried dissolved in that sacred moment, replaced by an overwhelming sense of peace and inner strength. I walked away from the shrine feeling renewed, deeply connected to Lord Shiva, and ready to embrace life’s journey with unwavering faith and gratitude.

Kailasa Temple, Ellora (2025)

An architectural marvel, the Kailasa Temple is said to be carved out of a single rock. The dedication behind its creation mirrored my own spiritual quest—relentless, unwavering, and fueled by divine inspiration.

Bhadra Maruti Temple, Aurangabad (2025)

Here, Lord Hanuman is seen in a sleeping posture, signifying his deep meditation. It reminded me that true strength lies not just in action, but in stillness and surrender. In India we have only two such idols’ one on Ganges at Pragya-raj (Allahabad) and the second one is this.

Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar (2025)

One of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva, Lingaraja embodies the perfect union of Shiva and Vishnu energies. The aura here was profound, as if centuries of prayers had seeped into its walls, filling every corner with divine energy. As I stepped into the sanctum, a powerful vibration enveloped me, silencing the noise within. The temple’s towering structure, the rhythmic sound of bells, and the fragrance of sandalwood and incense created an atmosphere of immense serenity. I felt as though I was being drawn into the very essence of divinity, a place where time ceased to exist, and only devotion remained. It was in that sacred space that I understood how faith, accumulated over centuries, continues to breathe life into the present moment.

Jagannath Puri & Konark Sun Temple (2025)

In my recent visit to Puri, the rhythmic beats of the Mahaprasad rituals and the sight of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra filled me with warmth. The miracles of Jagannath Puri are known far and wide—idols that mysteriously decay and are replaced, food offerings that never run out, and rituals that have continued for centuries without fail. The sacred Pothi, read daily at specific timings, carries the essence of divine messages, guiding devotees toward faith and surrender. I felt a profound sense of belonging when I was amongst the very few blessed ones who could have Mahaprasad peacefully sitting next to the gopuram, my heart was just thanking and my body was feeling energised with the Annam that I ate.

Konark, on the other hand, stood as a testament to time itself, its sun-chariot structure reminding me that our journey, like the sun, never truly halts.

Every step that I have taken, every temple I have bowed before, has led me to this moment of profound gratitude. The roads were not always clear, and the answers did not always come when I sought them. Yet, as I look back, I see the divine hand weaving my journey—each turn, each challenge, each blessing placed with a purpose I could not yet understand. All led me to realize that nothing is ever lost; everything is simply unfolding at its destined time.