Реферат: Hindu Pilgrimage Essay Research Paper The following

large, eradicate all their sins and wrong doing by bathing in the water

of holy rivers.

There are difficulties that have to be endured when undertaking a

pilgrimage, however, Hindus believe it is well worth it. As an extreme

example, for hundreds of years some tirthas were the final goal of many

pilgrims, who committed suicide there in order to be released from the

cycle of rebirths. Hinduism generally considers suicide a crime, but at

certain places, it can become an act of liberation, though this is not

the norm for pilgrims.( Klostermaier , K , 1989 , p 312 )

A Hindu pilgrim may journey barefoot, dress scantily in cold weather,

and fast, which is all very distressing, but the idea is that the

pilgrims have to forget being comfortable , where through their

suffering they will be able to realise and understand other less

fortunate and oppressed peoples’ suffering aswell. In this sense,

pilgrimages enable pilgrims, especially the very powerful and rich to

relate to the very poor, sick, and needy-bringing them closer together .

Pilgrimages also have a unifying effect in terms of bringing together

Hindus, not only from around India, but from all around the world. The

journey of a pilgrimage gives Hindus an opportunity to come together,

and to relate to one another as well as strengthen their faith. Through

the contact between Hindus resulting from journeys to pilgrimage sites,

faith can be made stronger due to being around and in touch with those

who seek the same goal- the release from the cycle of death and

re-birth.

Pilgrimages are also associated with myths where there are many tirthas

associated with the great events of the mythological tradition. The

tirtha is the counterpart of the avatara, the word used to describe the

divine descents of the gods. Avatara means, to cross down precisely at

those places where the gods have crossed down into this world, where