The pilgrims here, can be seen not only bathing, but then they may go into the mandir, or temple. The temples are full of Hindu priests and many are found helping pilgrims by the Ganges. There are also plenty of cremations taking place. The groups of people, watch and mourn as the Hindu priest performs the sacred ceremony. The ashes are then scattered into the Ganges.
Benares is seen as a holy city as many Hindus were told stories of Shiva when they were children. It is a strong belief that if any person dies in Benares and has their ashes spread there, they shall break out of the reincarnation cycle.
The Ganges is very important to Hindus, and there are many stories as to the origins of the Ganga Ma (Mother Ganges). One of the stories is that the River Goddess, Ganga, came down to Earth, but had to be tied down by Lord Shiva’s hair, as she was very powerful and destructive. It is also a strong belief that Shiva lived in the Himalayas, and Benares, which is why Benares is mainly devoted to Shiva.
People visit Benares a number of times, but many Hindus aim to go there at least once.
R2a)
Hindus may go on a pilgrimage for various reasons. Some of these reasons may be the fact that it is traditional for them to go on a pilgrimage to a certain place, but for some people it could be that there are very personal choices for going.
However, there are specific reasons that Hindus intend on doing on the pilgrimage. Like in Benares, where people go on a pilgrimage, and if there is a holy river nearby then it is custom to bathe in it. As I explained before (in R1), bathing cleanses and frees the soul from the cycle of rebirth. This ancient ritual is supposed to also give them spiritual cleansing.
Circumbulating is another important part of a Hindu’s pilgrimage. The journey around the main shrine proves meaningful as the priest or guide preaches to the pilgrims. Hindus believe that the right-hand side of the body to be the purer side to serve the gods, so therefore the pilgrims walk in a clockwise motion, and use the right hand to offer food to the gods of other people.
In order to break free from the samsara, quickly, the deceased’s ashes must be scattered in the place where two great rivers meet, or a holy river, like the sacred Ganges.
The ritual of Shraddha, is when Hindus go on a pilgrimage where they offer food, like special balls of cooked rice called pinda. This ceremony is carried out for the spirit of a decease loved one, usually the father.
Sometimes, people do things that are against their religion. Hindus go on a pilgrimage to make amends or atone for the sin, if this is the case. These pilgrims would either endure pain, give charity of most commonly, perform a puja to ask for forgiveness. Sometimes the ‘shadow-gift’ ritual is performed, in which the Hindu must look at his reflection and repent his sins.
As there is a lot of diseases around, and there aren’t always means to treat it, faith-healing is also a good reason why pilgrims go on such harsh journeys.
In general, Hindus aim to go on a pilgrimage for other, less specific reasons. For example, some pilgrims may just want to please the gods and receive good luck in return. This could mean spending a lot of time praying to this god, and performing pujas or other religious rituals. This is thought to please the gods, and they will show their appreciation.
This could involve visiting a certain special place of the gods or for a particular god. Providing other gifts would also be wise and certain offerings.
However, pilgrims may want to perform and fulfil a religious duty, that is part of their family’s tradition. This may give them a sense of satisfaction.
R2b)
The affects that a pilgrimage may have on a Hindu’s life could be positive or even negative.
Firstly, I shall discuss the positive effects that a pilgrimage can provide. After a pilgrimage, Hindus may feel peace, and fulfilment if they believe that their prayers have been answered.
This also helps pilgrims to change their attitudes, like for example, when people see the poverty of some people, and they can appreciate their good fortunes. This could help to motivate prayer, and going to the temple.
Pilgrimage helps to add meaning and depth to peoples’ lives, and gives a sense of spirituality. They may feel refreshed so that they feel ready enough to make a career move, or a change in their lives. It can make pilgrims clear-headed, and focused.
However, there are a few negative effects on pilgrims. For example, they may be put off by all the noise, and may not want to pray in such a loud environment. Sometimes, people may feel they have been ripped off by con-artists. They could feel that they were ripped off spiritually, in the sense that they felt as though they could not concentrate on their religion. All of these issues could allow Hindus to lose faith in their religion.
R3)
“There are more important things for Hindus to do than to go on a pilgrimage.”
There are two sides to this argument that I shall discuss. Both make very good points, and provide very different points of view on pilgrimages. The first point of view that I shall star with will be in favour of this statement.
Pilgrimages can be seen as a waste of time and money, specially as many of the rituals performed on the pilgrimage, can just as easily be performed at home. The location of where you worship shouldn’t have any affect on how well the gods can hear you. Rituals like pujas can be performed at home or in the nearest temple, so there is no need to go all the way on a pilgrimage.
As pilgrimages need a fair bit of funding, it is better that the money is spent on essential items, pilgrimages can be a waste of money. Instead the money could go towards the temple, or given to charity. This would be beneficial to the whole community.
Hindus could use the time that is not wasted on pilgrimages, spending it on their family. Family is supposed to be very important, and going on a pilgrimage would disrupt the family.
The points that have been listed above all provide good karma, which is a main reason for people to go on pilgrimages.
Some Hindus would use pilgrimages as a holiday, and just to laze about. This would give off the wrong impression, and all the time off work or school would unnecessarily disturb the work load.
Pilgrimages may give people the wrong idea, because someone misbehaves terribly, they can easily wash away their sins and can carry on misbehaving. The cleansing of the mind is an extremely mental, spiritual experience, and so should not be confused with a physical endurance test.
The other side of the argument is against the statement, so it is for pilgrimages. The idea of pilgrimage is a religious journey that is supposed to test the mind, body and soul. This would mean intense praying, and this goal could not be obtained in just any place. Holy places are ideal for pilgrimages, and the River Ganges is known in Hindu beliefs to be holy. It is a well-known belief that the bathing in or drinking of this holy water, will bring forgiveness of their previous sins. This would be the only that this could be achieved in pilgrimage. The ritual of cremations can also be completed here, and the last wishes of a loved one could be to have their ashes thrown into the Ganges is not uncommon.
The belief that the Himalayas is very near to Heaven is only one that could be recognised through the highest peaks of the world. This means that Hindus feel closer to their god than they would back at home. The peace of mind provided from knowing that they have fulfilled a duty is very satisfactory, and it is all a matter of sorting out priorities, as the gods can appreciate the act that the pilgrim has sacrificed an awful lot just for them.
On a light-hearted note, the pilgrimage introduces a whole new way of life. It shows the barriers of the caste system broken down, and that they are all equal in the gods’ minds. Hindus can meet a range of people, some just like them, and others that are totally different.
I disagree with this statement, I personally believe that pilgrimage is not a waste of time, and that it would be a wonderful experience to have. However, I can understand that not everyone would want to go on a pilgrimage and I strongly believe that no one should be forced into going on a pilgrimage. This is as the pilgrimage should be a journey that you have chosen to do not because you have to. I believe that you must endure physical as well as mental strength to successfully complete a pilgrimage. This is a test of devotion to the god that you love and worship. I think the sacrifices made to your god should prove gain good karma.
