Importance of Pilgrimage

In the Krita Yuga, human beings were capable of understanding the Atma Tattva. During Treta Yuga, the practice of Saguna Dhyana was in vogue. By Dvapara yuga, the path of Karma yoga had become popular. In Kaliyuga, the easiest path to salvation is said to be the path of Bhakti. Worshipping the Almighty with abundant love constitutes Bhakti.

How to enhance our Bhakti for the Almighty ? Our ancient seers have devised various ways for this. One of them is undertaking pilgrimage.

Datte bahoodara vidhaana bodham

Datte bahuspashta viveka siddhim

Datte bahu klesha sahishnutaam cha

Yaataa vidhih kim na dadaati pumsaam

"It (pilgrimage) imparts education in many ways. It imparts clarity of thinking. It makes the person resistant to hardships. It is useful to man in many ways"

Everyone thinks that his/her path alone is the right path. They tend to belittle other paths. Such thinking stems from lack of experience and exposure. When one undertakes a pilgrimage, this thinking gets considerably modified. When the pilgrim comes in contact with other great sadhaks (spiritual seekers) in different places, he will realise that there are many paths which are equal to or superior to the one he is following. Once this realisation sets in, clarity in thinking becomes easily achievable.

Those who are accustomed to carrying on their sadhana at home, with all facilities to keep them cool and happy tend to develop dependence on thowe facilities. A time may come when they find it difficult to continue their sadhana even if one of the facilities is lacking or absent. During pilgrimage, the person is exposed to new places and situations which may not have all the facilities to make him comfortable. This is especially true when one undertakes pilgrimage to places like Mt. Kailas and Manasa Sarovara. There will be constant threat of becoming ill and the life is also in danger. The names of the Almighty automatically come on the lips when a person has to experience the difficulty of climbing higher altitudes. This is a common experience of those who climb the hills of Tirumala (Tirupati). Places like Manasa Sarovara and Mt. Kailas are even more difficult to reach. In spite of immense difficulties, the call of the Mt. Kailas is so inviting that the pilgrim forgets the physical strain and will focus his mind on the Kailaseshwara. In this way, pilgrimage to such places will automatically train the sadhak to remember the Almighty even in acute hardships. Also, the divine vibrations of the sages meditating in the caves of Himalayas will aid the person in his/her spiritual upliftment. A unique kind of samskara is conferred.

Therefore visiting sacred places has been considered as one of the virtuous acts in our culture.