Pilgrimage
In India
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. This was at a time when India was
being torn apart by castes, sectarianism, religious factions,
and fanaticism. He aligned with no religion, and respected all
religions. He expressed the reality that there is one God and
many paths, and the Name of God is Truth, "Sat Nam".
Guru Nanak's followers were Sikhs (seekers of truth). He
taught them to bow only before God, and to link themselves to
the Guru, the Light of Truth, who lives always in direct consciousness
of God, experiencing no separation. Through words and example,
the Guru demonstrates to followers how to experience God within
themselves, bringing them from darkness into light. Guru Nanak
was a humble bearer of this Light of Truth. He opposed superstition,
injustice, and hypocrisy and inspired seekers by singing divine
songs which touched the hearts of the most callous listeners.
These songs were recorded, and formed the beginnings of the Sikhs'
sacred writings, later to become the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib".
His way of life: Nam Japa - To get up each day before sunrise,
to clean the body, meditate on God’s Name and recite the Guru’s
hymns to clean the mind. Throughout the day, continuously remember
God’s Name with every breath. Dharam di Kirat Karni - To
work and earn by the sweat of the brow, to live a family way of
life, and practice truthfulness and honesty in all dealings. Vand
Ke Chakna - To share the fruits of one’s labor with others
before considering oneself. Thus, to live as an inspiration and
a support to the entire community.
The
foundation of Sikhism was laid down by Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak
infused his own consciousness into a disciple, who then became
Guru, subsequently passing the light on to the next, and so on.
The word "Guru" is derived from the root words "Gu", which means
darkness or ignorance, and "Ru", which means light or knowledge
The Guru is the experience of Truth (God).
Each one of the ten Gurus represents a divine attribute: 1)Guru
Nanak - Humility 2) Guru Angad - Obedience 3) Guru
Amar Das — Equality 4) Guru Ram Das - Service 5)
Guru Arjan - Self-Sacrifice 6) Guru Hargobind - Justice
7) Guru Har Rai - Mercy 8) Guru Harkrishan - Purity
9) Guru Tegh Bahadur - Tranquility 10) Guru Gobind Singh
- Royal Courage
Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Guru, exemplified the Sikh ideal
of the Soldier-Saint. He was also an inspired and prolific writer,
courageous warrior, and a source of Divine Wisdom to his Sikhs.
"When all other means have failed," he said, "only then is it
righteous to take up the sword." He was the defender of the poor,
the meek, and the oppressed masses of 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.Of these, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri
and Gangotri are the most significant.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Andhra
Pradesh 