How to Make a Hindu Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage in Hindu traditions allows pilgrims to spend time in sacred places, experiencing a sense of communion with spiritual ancestors on holy ground. Hindu faithful make pilgrimage to honor deities and saints to whom they are devoted. Pilgrimage offers opportunities for purification, communion with like-minded believers, to participate in specific rituals and festivals, and spiritual enlightenment.

Things You'll Need

• Sacred site to attend
• Devotion to a particular Deva or Devi or Hindu saint

Instructions

Hindu Pilgrimage

1. 

   Take darshan, which is to pay ceremonial respect to a holy place or person. It also is the purification one receives as the result of such a ceremony. A well-known site for darshan to Lord Shiva is the Ganges at Varanasi in India. The Supreme Being dwells in the temple to receive worship and to bestow blessings on pilgrims.

2. 

   Participate in kirtan, also called Bhajan, which involves repeatedly chanting the names of the god or goddess or saint. Chanting is a form of worship and glorifies the Deva, Devi or Saint.

3. 

   Make a charitable donation to the temple and its priests. Charity is an act of respect and bestows blessings of the deity.

4. 

   Practice austerities. Celibacy is often observed. Shaving one's head is an act of penance. Attend lectures and seek advice about the spiritual life.

5. 

   Participate in rituals and ceremonies. The Aarti ceremony is a sacred pilgrimage ritual in Uttaranchal in India. Aarti is accompanied by narrative songs about the worshiped deity.

6. 

   Perform parikrama, clockwise circumambulation of a sacred shrine or temple. Parikrama honors the deity, centers pilgrims and reaffirms that the site is sacred.

Tips & Warnings

• There sites outside of India that are considered sacred. Barsanadam outside of Austin, Texas is one such site

• Pilgrimage tours are available through travel agents and Hindu temples

Resources

• Sites of Pilgrimage in India
• Heart of Hinduism Pilgrimage
• Darshan in Hinduism
• Chanting Kirtan
• Why do we perform Pradakshina or Parikrama?