Why is Pilgrimage an Important aspect of the Hindu Religion ? :: essays papers

Why is Pilgrimage an Important aspect of the Hindu Religion ?The following essay addresses that of the Hindu pilgrims journey as to why excursion is an important aspect of Hindu religion? Firstly, the essayfocusses on points which support pilgrimage as a fundamental and keyaspect of the Hindu community. Secondly, a perspective denying pilgrimages have any significant rolefor Hindu and their religion is discussed. It does seem though, to me,that without the aspect of pilgrimage, the Hindu religion would stillfunction quite noramally because although the pilgrimage sites givedarsan, they do not seem to be able to assist people with their day today problems, whereas holy men do.First though we take on to know exactly what darsan means to Hindus. Darsan means seeing in Hindu religion and when people go to a temple,they say they do not go to worship but rather for darsan - they go tosee the image of the deity. The pinacle act of Hindu worship, is tostand in the presence of the deity and to look upon the image with theireyes, so as to see and be seen by the deity. The deity is believed toactually be within the image, and beholding the deity image is a form ofworship where by means of the eyes one gains blessings.A pilgrimage is a religious journey people undertake pilgrimages sothey can worship at special places which argon connected to theirreligion. Journeying to holy places of pilgrimage are generally carriedout as acts of faith and devotion in accummulating religious merit or to abye for sins. Pilgrimages are also regarded by Hindus as a religiousduty from which darsan can be attained.There are thousands of pilgrimage sites - tirthas (sacred, fords orcrossings) in India, where many an(prenominal) places of pilgrimage are renowned fortheir divine images. And it is the darsan of these divine images thatare sought , because the darsan is believed by Hindus to be far greaterand significant than that which can be given(p) and given by holy meni.e. sadhus. It entails then, that holy places of pilgrimages are anextension of additional darsan, of which can be given and received bytravelling on a pilgrimage.For example, pilgrims go to the sacred hill of Tirupati for the darsanof Sri Venkatesvara, an ancient icon believed to be a form of Visnu. According to legend, the Lord came to bless a particular buff who wasfaithful in his duties towards his parents. The devotee took no time