Sept 15: There is a growing interest in travel that offers more than an itinerary: journeys that create space to slow down, look inward and reconnect. India’s spiritual tourism landscape is also evolving beyond traditional pilgrimage, with travellers increasingly seeking experiences that combine spirituality, wellness, culture and personal transformation. According to a 2026 KPMG in India-PHDCCI report, over 60% of India’s domestic tourist visits are estimated to be linked to religious travel, highlighting the country’s deep connection with spiritual journeys.
From traditional ashrams and spiritual centres to contemporary spaces for art, culture and self-exploration, here are five destinations across India for those seeking a more meaningful travel experience.
1. Eternal Oasis, Gurugram
Launched in March 2025, Eternal Oasis is a centre for art, culture and spirituality located on Golf Course Road, Gurugram. Spread across 100,000 sq. ft. in Sector 42, the centre was conceived by Umesh Mathur as a space designed to nurture the mind, body and spirit.
Envisioned as a dedicated “third space” beyond home and workplace, Eternal Oasis brings together art, culture and spirituality under one roof. The centre houses three performance venues, six flexible workshop spaces, an art gallery, professional recording studio, 30 residential rooms and an 80-seater eatery, alongside a Buddhist temple, meditation room, terrace and landscaped lawns.
The centre offers a contemporary setting for creativity, mindfulness, self-development and meaningful human connection, making it a distinctive destination for those looking to experience culture and spirituality in an urban setting.
2. Garden of Spiritual Wisdom, Sarnath
Located behind the Chaukhandi Stupa in Sarnath, the Garden of Spiritual Wisdom is an 8.05-acre garden that offers visitors a deeper and more immersive way to engage with India’s spiritual heritage. The garden features the Gallery of Indian Philosophy, Buddhist Philosophy, the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, along with an Ayurvedic plant display.
3. Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
Founded in 1942 by Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj, Parmarth Niketan is one of Rishikesh’s best-known spiritual centres. Located on the banks of the Ganges, the ashram offers programmes around yoga, meditation, spiritual learning and Indian culture, alongside the daily Ganga Aarti and the annual International Yoga Festival.
4. Museo Camera, Gurugram
Established in 2016 by photographer and archivist Aditya Arya, Museo Camera is a museum dedicated to the history and evolution of photography. The museum houses an extensive collection of cameras, photographic equipment, archives and photographs, while also hosting exhibitions, workshops and educational programmes for visitors interested in art and visual culture.
5. Zorba, New Delhi
Located in the green surroundings of Ghitorni, Zorba is a cultural and spiritual space bringing together meditation, creativity, music, dance and community experiences. Through workshops, retreats and programmes focused on mindfulness, personal growth and creative expression, the space offers visitors an opportunity to step away from everyday routines and explore different approaches to self-discovery.
What Should You Look for in a Spiritual Destination?
Whether it is an established ashram in the Himalayas, a Buddhist garden in Sarnath, or a contemporary spiritual hub in the middle of Gurugram, these destinations offer different ways to step away from the noise and make space for stillness, reflection and self-discovery.
Should this align with your editorial plans, we’d be happy to facilitate inputs from Umesh Mathur, Founder, Eternal Oasis, on the evolving role of contemporary cultural and spiritual spaces in urban India and how people are seeking more meaningful experiences beyond traditional travel.