Shrinecation travel trend: 5 popular destinations where Gen Z and millennials are heading for spiritual gateways
Pardeep Kumar Siwach, Deputy General Manager, Accommodation at Mayfair Spring Valley Resort, Guwahati, shared with HT Lifestyle how Gen Z and millennials are more and more drawn to holy and spiritual travel destinations, seeking not just blessings but also a mindful, calming experience.
Explaining about the trend of shrinecation, Pardeep elaborated, 'Gen Zs and millennials, often navigating high-stress, hyper-connected lives, are increasingly seeking spaces that offer peace with purpose. Enter 'Shrinecations,' where spiritual discovery meets immersive travel. This evolving trend reflects a shift towards mindful, culturally-rooted experiences, often elevated by elements of comfort, aesthetic appeal, and personal renewal.'
Pardeep shared 5 spiritual destinations that are popular among young travellers nowadays:
1. Guwahati
Sitting atop Nilachal Hills, the Kamakhya Temple draws travellers who seek divine feminine energy and scenic beauty.
After exploring the temple, sail along the Brahmaputra at sunset, and explore the vibrant lanes of Urzan Bazaar.
Feast on authentic Assamese flavours, like tangy fish curries, and local thalis, then relax at a luxury retreat with pools, spa sessions, and valley view dinners.
2. Varanasi
Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world, offers a different yet equally profound kind of awakening.
Take boat ride at dawn.
Visit the ancient, holy temples like Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple, Maa Annapurna temple, Kaal Bhairav temple, Durga kund temple, and Sankat Mochan temple.
Watch the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat during sunset.
Explore the narrow alleys and try the sweet lassi and street snacks like kachori and chaat.
3. Rishikesh
Rishikesh invites stillness, where the mountains echo mantras and the river flows with meditative grace.
Beautiful temples grace Rishikesh, which locals and travellers praise as the yoga capital of the world.
Experience the Ganga Aartis, join yoga or meditation sessions.
Savour plant-based café fare and freshly pressed juices, or try local chaat near Laxman Jhula for a dash of flavour.
4. Amritsar
Visit the Golden Temple, the holy Sikh shrine, which is also renowned for langar.
Next, visit Jallianwala Bagh, which stands as a powerful reminder of India's freedom struggle.
After exploring, indulge in Amritsari kulcha and jalebi at Kesar Da Dhaba.
For shopping, look for phulkari outfits, juttis and local handicrafts.
5. Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya is a sacred town where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
Try Tibetan momos and regional Bihari cuisine.
Sharing some tips about budget travel, Pardeep concluded, "Plan in advance and book as early as possible. Travel in the off-season, use public transport, and enjoy local food to make your trip memorable.'
ALSO READ: 5 popular monsoon trek trails in Karnataka and Maharashtra based on difficulty level: Easy to moderate and challenging
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
15 hours ago
- India.com
7 Most Instagrammable Spots In Bengaluru For Stunning Photos, Not Just Church Street!
A photo isn't just a picture. It's a pause. And in a city like Bengaluru—buzzing with cafes, code, and clouds—pausing is what makes the frame beautiful. But here's the thing. Most people stop where everyone else does. Church Street. Cubbon Park. Lalbagh. Same selfies. Same captions. Same filters. What if we told you the most photogenic spots in Bengaluru aren't the ones with queues—but the ones that catch you by surprise? Let's step into a visual journey where color pops on old walls, light dances through temple courtyards, and every corner of the city is its own aesthetic. What makes Bengaluru so photogenic? It's not just the buildings. It's the balance. Between tech parks and temples. Between pastels and puddles. Between filter coffee and filtered light. The city holds on to its stories—in cracks of age-old structures, in murals hidden under flyovers, and in cafes that feel like film sets. It's a place where old-world charm and new-age cool live side by side—and that contrast? It's magic for your lens. While Delhi gives you monuments and Mumbai gives you the sea, Bengaluru gives you mood. Misty, moody, minimal, or maximal—every vibe has its corner here. Tired of the same photo ops? These spots are waiting to light up your feed 1. KR Flower Market – Chaos, Colour, and Chai This is not your average morning. Step in around 5 AM. The market explodes with marigolds, roses, jasmine—petals pouring out of baskets like confetti. Vendors shout. Fog rises off tea cups. Stray rays of sun break through the roof. It's not staged. It's alive. Best for: Street photography, early morning mood, floral close-upsPro tip: Go before sunrise for golden hour and fewer crowds 2. Dodda Alada Mara – Where Trees Become Temples One tree. Thousands of branches. This 400-year-old banyan tree near Kethohalli village looks like a forest but is really just one tree, sprawling across 3 acres. When you walk under it, light filters through its roots like a living cathedral. Best for: Wide-angle shots, silhouette portraits, nature-meets-mystic framesPro tip: Pair it with a vineyard visit nearby for a dreamy picnic reel 3. Graffiti Walls of Hennur – Art That Found a Wall Tired of beige buildings and dull walls? Hennur's graffiti stretch is a burst of rebellion and paint. Artists have turned blank walls into canvases that scream in color. From political murals to dreamy characters—every turn here has a new surprise. Best for: Edgy OOTDs, dramatic backdrops, Gen Z aestheticsPro tip: Early morning or golden hour gets you softer light and empty roads 4. Pyramid Valley – Peace in Pixels About 30 km from the city, this meditation center feels like stepping into another dimension. A massive pyramid structure surrounded by green hills, still lakes, and absolute silence. It's calm. It's clean. It's photogenic in every frame. Best for: Zen aesthetics, nature shots, symmetry loversPro tip: Dress light and muted to let the calm of the place shine in your frame 5. Russell Market – Retro Vibes and Vintage Textures This old bazaar in Shivaji Nagar holds decades of visual stories. Peeling paint. Narrow alleys. Wooden doors. Old signboards in faded fonts. And the people—fruit vendors, butchers, perfume sellers—all become characters in your lens. Best for: Vintage edits, storytelling series, monochrome photographyPro tip: Black-and-white mode makes everything more timeless here 6. Ulsoor Lake – Light Leaks and Lyrical Landscapes Golden reflections. Silent boats. Temples on islets. Ulsoor Lake isn't just for joggers. It's for the patient lens. Go during sunrise or just before a thunderstorm. The sky paints the water. And the water paints your photo. Best for: Reflection shots, minimalism, slow-mo reelsPro tip: Carry a drone if possible—top shots are stunning 7. Bangalore Palace – Gothic Meets Gram Not your everyday palace. This Tudor-style structure feels like it walked out of a Sherlock Holmes story. Think stained glass. Spiral staircases. Royal corridors. And outside? Lush lawns and vintage arches waiting to become your new grid goals. Best for: Period drama vibes, wedding shoots, slow pan reelsPro tip: The entry fee is worth it if you're shooting a full set But isn't Bengaluru too crowded for good photos? Not if you know where to look. Not if you go when the city's still sleeping. Or right after the rain, when puddles reflect neon signs and clouds blur the skyline. Here's the thing: Great shots don't need perfect places. They need presence. Timing. And heart. And Bengaluru gives you all of that, if you're willing to wander a little. How to Shoot Bengaluru Like a Local Chase the light, not the likesGolden hour is your best friend. Mornings are calmer. Skies are clearer. The city feels more honest. Talk to strangersA flower seller's smile. A chaiwallah's steam. These stories don't just happen. You ask. You connect. Go off-gridDitch the map. Take that left turn. The alley behind the cafe? Might just be the highlight of your feed. Carry the right gearPhone? DSLR? Doesn't matter. Just carry a lens cloth, a power bank, and a spare smile. The Hidden Economy of Aesthetic Travel Every time you shoot at a local market instead of a mall, you support real lives. Every time you drink chai at a roadside stall after a shoot, you keep micro economies alive. And when you share their stories—beyond just selfies—you turn your grid into something bigger than you. Photos are not just pixels. They're proof that you paused, noticed, and cared. So what's stopping you? A little traffic? A grey sky? Good. That's when the city looks its best. Let others wait for clear skies and perfect plans. You? You go now. With wet hair, messy shoes, and a phone full of imperfect, beautiful shots. Because Bengaluru is not a postcard. It's a painting in progress. Final Thought Don't just take pictures of Bengaluru. Let Bengaluru take a picture of you. Let its colors soak into your stories. Let its corners catch you off guard. Because the best frames aren't found. They're felt. And somewhere between a puddle and a paratha, a wall and a whisper, this city is waiting to be seen by you.
News18
16 hours ago
- News18
From Sightseeing To Stillness: Why Slow Travel And Hostels Are The New Travel Luxury
As millennials and Gen Z look out for slow travel opportunites, the hostel culture is becoming one of the most hottest travel trends. There was a time when travel meant ticking landmarks off a list, snapping selfies in front of monuments, and rushing from one itinerary checkpoint to another. But a quiet shift is underway, one that's replacing 'how much did you see?" with 'how deeply did you feel?" Enter the era of slow travel, a rising movement where young adults, especially Gen Z and millennials, are choosing depth over distance. Think reading in a hammock while it rains outside, hiking misty trails at your own pace, or simply doing nothing at all without guilt. The journey now is less about covering ground and more about grounding oneself. At the centre of this transformation is the hostel culture, reimagined not as just affordable accommodation, but as a canvas for connection and culture. 'Hostels are no longer just about beds; they're about bonfire nights, book corners, chai sessions with strangers-turned-friends, and the freedom to just be," says Pranav Dangi, CEO & Founder of Hosteller. With cosy lounges, reading nooks, nature-view balconies, and community events, hostels have become sanctuaries for travellers seeking stillness over speed. During the monsoons, this culture comes alive in ways no checklist ever could. Picture sipping coffee in a hillside hostel as rain dances on the windows, or sharing stories with fellow travellers around a crackling fire. It's not about seeing everything, it's about feeling something real. With communal lounges, reading nooks, and scenic balconies, hostels offer an inviting setting for travellers to unwind, share stories, or simply soak in their surroundings. During the monsoons, this culture blooms. From hillside hostels drenched in mist to shared treks through dew-covered forests, these stays transform a trip into a sensory escape. 'When you pause and let the rain slow you down, that's when the real travel begins," Dangi shares. There's a psychological comfort that hostels provide, a rare blend of solitude and social connection. 'More young travelers are now choosing hostels because they offer something most hotels don't: human connection and creative freedom," Dangi notes. This isn't about five-star indulgence, but about making meaningful memories. As Dangi explains, 'More young travelers are now choosing hostels because they offer something most hotels don't: human connection and creative freedom." Whether it's journaling in silence, jamming on a rooftop at sunset, or going on impromptu treks, hostels now enable more than travel; they enable presence. What's unfolding is not a fleeting trend but a redefinition of what it means to wander. In this new rhythm of travel, hostels are no longer pit stops; they're places to pause, reflect, and reconnect. view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 15:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Assam marks 1st anniversary of Moidam's Unesco tag
1 2 3 4 Dibrugarh: The first anniversary of Charaideo Moidam's inclusion in the Unesco World Heritage list was celebrated with zeal by Directorate of Archaeology near the historic site on Sunday. The anniversary programme began with the traditional Tai-Ahom ritual of Ban-Phi, a ceremonial offering to ancestors, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural heritage of the region. Charaideo Moidam, often referred to as the "Pyramids of Assam", was officially inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in July 2024. The site is home to the sacred burial mounds of the Ahom dynasty, which ruled Assam for nearly 600 years from 1228 to 1826. The site consists of multiple pyramid-like burial mounds called 'moidams', where Ahom kings and nobles were laid to rest according to ancient traditions. These structures, built using a unique technique that combines earth, brick, and stone, represent one of the finest examples of medieval Assamese architecture. "This anniversary is not just a celebration of the World Heritage Site tag, it is a reminder of our responsibility to protect and honour our heritage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo The recognition has put Assam on the global map of cultural tourism. The past year has seen unprecedented interest from both domestic and international visitors who come to witness the architectural marvels of our Ahom ancestors," said Jogen Mohan, minister of indigenous and tribal faith and culture, who was present as the chief guest. Since receiving Unesco status, the site has undergone significant conservation efforts, with increased funding and international expertise. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in collaboration with the state govt, has implemented comprehensive preservation measures to protect the delicate structures from environmental degradation and human interference. Additional director general of the ASI, Janhwij Sharma, who was present during Sunday's event, noted the collaborative efforts that led to the momentous achievement. "This recognition is not just for Assam but for all of India. It showcases our collective efforts to preserve our ancient sites for future generations. This site is not just a historical treasure but a living testament to the Ahom dynasty's legacy. We are committed to its preservation and promotion," he said. Several prominent figures were present at the celebration, including state minister of cultural affairs Bimal Borah, Sonari MLA Dharmeswar Konwar, Chairman of the Tai-Ahom Development Council Mayur Borgohain, chairman of Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) Rituparna Baruah and prominent historian Jogendra Nath Phukan.
