Pilgrimage
In India
Hindu
Pilgrimages in India
Some of the most important Hindu pilgrimage
sites are found high up in the Himalayas, in the north of the
state of Uttaranchal also called Uttarakhand. Of these, Badrinath,
Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri are the most significant.
The Himalayas have held a deep spiritual
importance for Hindus since ancient times. There is no doubt that
much of the reason for this is their elevated position and majestic,
serene beauty. Throughout the ages they have represented the ultimate
retreat from the mundane world. They are thought to be the home
of both the gods and wise Hindus sages and seers. The Himalayas
are also the starting point of the holy Ganga and Yamuna Rivers.
Stretching in a line near the border of India and
China, the towns of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and
Yamunotri represent the most important of the sacred sites
in the region of Uttaranchal. They are visited annually by thousands
of pilgrims during the summer months.
The purpose of the pilgrimage is to fulfill the
goal of self-realization. Once the routine aspects of life have
been taken care of, the pious Hindu is supposed to undertake pilgrimages
to reflect on God and to cleanse themselves of negative sanskaras
acquired throughout life. This is thought to have an ameliorative
effect, helping along the path to moksha (final deliverance).
The routes to these pilgrimage sites are only open
for a few months every year (from May until October). For the
rest of the year they are inaccessible on account of the snow.
Badrinath (approximately 4,000 meters), in
the north, has been significant since the time that Lord Krsna
instructed his disciple Uddhava to go to Badrikashrama and reflect
upon him. Its symbolism was further increased after the first
Shankaracarya established one of the four temples in four corners
of India at the site in the 9th century B.C.E. All of these are
religious centers today. They are in Puri in the east, Dwarka
in the west and Rameshwaram in the south.
Hindus believe that the pilgrim who obtains a glance
of the temple at Badrinath, utters the name Badrinath,
offers to wash the idol in the temple with holy water, circumabulates
the temple in the prescribed manner, bathes in the holy tank nearby
and offers a particular lamp to the deity is absolved of all sin
and thus achieves moksha (deliverance).
Yamunotri is the site where the great Yamuna
River descends from the mountains to the plains. It finally merges
with the Ganga in Prayag (Allahabad). There is a temple at the
river, forming a site of pilgrimage for Hindus. There are hot
water springs at the foot of the temple, where water emerges at
boiling point. Pilgrims traditionally place potatoes or rice tied
in a cloth into a tank (surya-kund) at the site. The cooked food
is taken home and given out as prasad (food offered to the gods).
Gangotri is famous as the place where the
Ganga River, the holiest of rivers in India for Hindus, descends
down to earth. Gangotri is also a very beautiful little
town, situated 3140 meters above sea level.
Legend purports that the sage Bhagirath meditated
at Gangotri in order to bring the river down. After several
years it descended and lodged in Lord Shiva's hair. He then meditated
on Lord Shiva who released the Ganga as three streams. The Ganga's
ashes then touched the souls of 60,000 sons who rose to heaven.
A bath in the freezing waters of the Ganga is said to cleanse
a person of all sin.
Kedarnath (approximately 5,000m) is said
to be Shiva's abode. According to legend, after the war depicted
in the Mahabharata, the Pandavas sought out Lord Shiva for his
blessings. Not wanting to comply, Shiva fled from them and arrived
at Kedarnath. He turned himself into a bull and grazed
with the cattle. Bhishma recognized him and tried to catch him,
but Shiva sunk into the earth. His hump remained and is thus worshipped
today in the temple there.
Buddhist
Pilgrimages in India
Siddartha Gautama was born in the
sixth century BCE in what is now Nepal. His father, Suddhodana,
was the ruler of the Sakya people, and Siddartha grew up living
the extravagant life of a young prince. His birthplace in
the foothills of the Terai is known as Lumbini which is now
a part of Nepal.
for more info
click here... |
Pilgrimage
in India
India has always been considered the land
of spirituality. Though Hinduism continues to be the oldest
religion in the country, India has been the birthplace of
various religions like Bhuddism, Jainism, Sikhism and Sufism,
and has always embraced new religions that other cultures
brought into the country.
for more info
click here... |
Sikh
Pilgrimages in India
Sikhism, the youngest of the world
religions, is barely five hundred years old. Its founder,
Guru Nanak, was born in 1469. Guru Nanak spread a simple message
of "Ek Ong Kar": we are all one, created by the One Creator
of all Creation.
for more info
click here... |
Jain
Pilgrimages in India
Originating in the Indian subcontinent,
Jainism-or, more properly, the Jain Dharma - is one of the
oldest religions of its homeland and indeed of the world.
Jains believe that their religion is without a beginning.
The twenty-four Tirthankars guided its evolution and elaboration
by first achieving, and then teaching the path to salvation.
for more info
click here... |
Christian
Pilgrimages in India
India has a positive Kaleidoscope
of religions. There is probably more diversity of religions
and sects in India than anywhere else in the earth. India
has some of the best known Christian pilgrimage sites. where
Christian missionaries settled and did some of their best
services for the natives and also for the generations of Indians
to remember on their contribution to India’s rich historical
heritage.
for more
info click here... |
Andhra
Pradesh 