Hindu pilgrimage not only has a long and venerable history in India but is also a vibrant religious practice in modern times. In this, the tradition seems to stress that the holy is found not only in places but all around us. This implies that the journey was part and parcel of the rite, and that the manner in which one traveled was part of the transformative process.
The puranas and the Mahabharata both recommend pilgrimage as a less expensive and more easily practiced religious alternative to sacrifice, and they often describe the religious merit of pilgrimages by equating them with Vedic sacrifices such as the ashvamedha. Yet both sources also emphasize that a disciplined way of life and the cultivation of personal qualities are as important as the site itself.
Each of these conflicting emphases stresses something profoundly important—on one hand, the sacrality of the site itself, and on the other hand, the importance of genuine sincerity and commitment. Hindu tirthas are an illuminating indicator for the tradition as a whole. Just as the Hindu religion has no supreme deity or religious authority, its complex and decentralized character is visible in its pilgrimage sites.
As the maps in Schwartzberg clearly show, the Indian subcontinent is studded with tirthas , and this has been true for millennia. Some of these sites are more important than others, but sectarian and regional differences mean that no single site is the holiest for all Hindus.
Yet despite this diversity of sites, Hindus unite in accepting certain fundamental propositions about the tirthas themselves: their nature, their power, and the process by which people can gain access to this power. Eck describes the different senses of the word tirtha , but primarily addresses the notion of their power: the idea that tirthas are places where the most ordinary religious acts generate extraordinary religious benefits in the same way, their sanctity also magnifies the demerit from evil actions.
Aiyengar, K. Rangaswami, ed. Krtyakalpataru of Bhatta Laksmidhara. Baroda, India: Oriental Institute, It is an excellent summary of ideas both about pilgrimage sites first in general, followed by subsections devoted to specific sites , and about the more general pilgrimage rites themselves.
Some Hindus do not consider going on pilgrimage to be as important as their daily worship. This may be because they are focused on their own personal dharma and do not see the need for pilgrimage.
Regardless of whether they undertake pilgrimages, they will still be focused on worship and the attainment of moksha. Some Hindus believe that the river Ganges flowed from Heaven with the aim of purifying humans. The Hindu scriptures mention the river Ganges and it is referred to as Mother Ganges. Many stories in Hindu scripture feature the river, and Lord Vishnu is said to have spent time at the Ganges.
Pilgrimage A common reason that Hindus go on pilgrimages is to visit places that are of significance to certain deities. Places of pilgrimage Different places are considered important pilgrimage sites for different reasons. Four examples of popular pilgrimage sites are: Kumbh Mela — Once every 12 years, up to 10 million people meet at the Kumbh Mela festival, held at one of four sites where the waters of the Ganges and Jumna rivers combine.
Through pilgrimage, they can show their belief in God and gain a better understanding of an important holy site. It is also a way of meeting other Hindus who share their beliefs and trying to work towards achieving moksha.
The most sacred city in Hinduism is Varanasi , as it is one of the oldest and most respected cities. It is believed to be the city where Shiva , the god of destruction, lived a long time ago. The River Ganges , which is one of the most sacred rivers in the world, runs through the city and is important as it is where Hindus bathe in the hope they can wash their sins away. A lot of Hindus believe that people who die in the city of Varanasi can achieve moksha.
One of the most important pilgrimages in Hinduism is Kumbh Mela. This is the largest gathering of people in the world.
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