Реферат: Hinduism Essay Research Paper HinduismTable of ContentsIntroduction

River Ganges and Jumna at Allahabad and the most sacred of the Indian cities,

Benares also called Vanenasi.

Going on pilgrimage plays an important part in Hinduism. There are a

number of reasons for Hindus making a pilgrimage. They may wish to have a

closer experience of the god that they worship, or they may wish to wash away

their sins by bathing in a holy river. They may intend to pray for favors

already received. The parents of a family will go to a site of a miracle in

order to pray for the birth of a child or for a child to be cured of a long time

sickness.

There is no fixed time to go on a pilgrimage for. Many Hindus make a

pilgrimage at festival time. Kumbla Mela is a great bathing festival held once

every twelve years during the month of Magh which is January-February. The most

important center during the festival is Allahabad.

When on pilgrimage Hindus usually take gifts with them to present to the

god at that shrine in the place they are visiting. The gifts could be money,

food, cloth or flowers. The pilgrims spend their time in worship both praying

and bathing. They wear their best clothes and eat festive food. They go

sightseeing, meet old friends and buy souvenirs.

Shivarati

this festival is dedicated to Shiva and is held in January-February and

lasts thirty-six hours. The name of this festival means “night sacred to Shiva”,

because worship goes on throughout the night. Compared to other festivals it is

a solemn occasion marked by fasting. Some devotees of Shiva do not sleep, eat

or drink for the thirty-six hours. During the night Shiva is worshiped with

singing and dancing in shrines dedicated to the god. In the shrine is a small

stone pillar representing the god Shiva around which people assemble and perform

puja. Offerings are made by pouring milk, honey and melted butter over the

linga. When the fast ends at about four o’clock much feasting follows with

sweet potatoes and cucumbers among the many foods eaten. The people remember a