Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comThe Sapta Moksha Puri
The Sapta Moksha Puri are seven sacred cities described in Hindu tradition, pilgrimage to which is believed to grant moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death), they are named together in a verse of the Garuda Purana.
Significance of The Sapta Moksha Puri
A well-known verse from the Garuda Purana states: 'Ayodhya Mathura Maya Kashi Kanchi Avantika, Puri Dwaravati chaiva saptaita moksha-dayikah', meaning Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya (Haridwar), Kashi, Kanchi (Kanchipuram), Avantika (Ujjain), and Dwaravati (Dwarka) are the seven cities regarded as granters of liberation.
Each city is tied to the descent of a deity or a sacred event, Ayodhya is Lord Rama's birthplace, Mathura is Lord Krishna's, Haridwar marks where the Ganga leaves the Himalayas and enters the plains, Kashi and Avantika (Ujjain) are famed for Shiva's Jyotirlingas (Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakaleshwar respectively), Kanchipuram is a major center of both Shiva and Devi worship, and Dwarka was Lord Krishna's capital.
The Sapta Moksha Puri
Lord Rama's birthplace.
Lord Krishna's birthplace.
The point where the Ganga leaves the Himalayas and enters the plains.
Home to the Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga; also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
A major center of Shiva and Devi worship, home to the Ekambareswarar Temple.
Home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga; also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Lord Krishna's capital city; also part of the all-India Char Dham.
Visiting The Sapta Moksha Puri
The Sapta Moksha Puri are spread across the length of India, Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, and Kashi in the north, Avantika (Ujjain) in central India, Dwarka in the west, and Kanchipuram in the south, so most pilgrims complete darshan of all seven over the course of years.
Among these, Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakaleshwar are also counted among the twelve Jyotirlingas, and Dwarka is also part of the all-India Char Dham, so the individual pages for these three temples belong to more than one sacred list at once.
About The Sapta Moksha Puri
This page presents the list of the seven moksha-granting cities of Hindu tradition, their significance, and what makes each one distinctive, with a link to each city's main temple page where one is available.
The information on this page is presented with easy-to-read sizing and print support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the seven cities of the Sapta Moksha Puri?
Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kashi (Varanasi), Kanchipuram, Avantika (Ujjain), and Dwarka, these seven cities together are called the Sapta Moksha Puri.
Where are the Sapta Moksha Puri mentioned?
They are named together in a well-known verse of the Garuda Purana, which describes all seven cities as granters of liberation.
Are any of these cities part of another sacred list as well?
Yes, Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakaleshwar are also counted among the twelve Jyotirlingas, and Dwarka is also part of the all-India Char Dham.
Is Jagannath Puri part of the Sapta Moksha Puri?
No. The word 'Puri' in the Garuda Purana's verse refers to Dwaravati (Dwarka), not to Jagannath Puri, this is a common point of confusion.