Going to Temples, visiting holy places, doing pujas, chanting of mantras, and performing austerities, does NOT indicate spiritual advancement. It is good behavior that indicates genuine spiritual advancement.
The qualities of a person who has made spiritual advancement (Based on Bhagavad-Gita 16.1-3):
1. Always speaks the truth
2. Has scriptural knowledge realization
3. Free from ego, pride, lust, and anger
4. Never self-centered, lives and works for the benefit of others
5. Does good to others
6. Lives simply – Dresses, eats, and travels simply
7. Friendly to all living beings, does not give pain to anyone
8. Sets good examples
9. Cleanliness
10. Charitable
11. No bad habits (No tobacco, alcohol, gambling, flesh eating)
12. Has no sightseeing desires
13. Never gives any trouble to others
14. Service to all attitude – Always serving others
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Fearlessness; purification of one’s existence; cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity; simplicity; nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquillity; aversion to faultfinding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; vigor; forgiveness; fortitude; cleanliness; and freedom from envy and from the passion for honor – these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.1-3)
“Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance – these qualities belong to those of demoniac nature, O son of Prtha.”
(Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.4)