Tirthayatra (lit. "journey to a tirtha") is a
Sanskrit word that means "journey to a tirtha." The broad phrase for
religious pilgrimage, which is regarded as a significant act of religious
virtue (punya).
The visit to a "crossing place" (tirtha), a holy
spot or person through whom one might more readily converse with the realms
beyond, was the main purpose of such travel.
The intrinsic sanctity of whatever area was being depicted
at the moment, which was constantly represented as providing immeasurable
benefits, even for activities undertaken unintentionally or in jest, was one of
the key themes of traditional pilgrimage writing.
The emphasis on the pilgrims' inner condition, as well as
the admonition that they would get no advantages unless they were earnest about
their visit, was a second and apparently conflicting topic.
Pilgrimage to the holy sites was, in its ideal form, a
vehicle for spiritual growth, including bathing (snana) in sacred rivers,
visiting and worshiping strong deities, experiencing trials, making gifts to
the ancestors, gift-giving, and leading a sober, disciplined lifestyle.
In truth, classic literature acknowledges both sides of this
conflict—the necessity for personal devotion and the intrinsic sacredness of
the locations themselves—though the emphasis shifts depending on the
requirements of the time.
One theory that combines all of these themes is that the
impact of all of one's activities, good or evil, were magnified in these sacred
sites.
Pilgrims were therefore urged to reap the benefits of doing
good acts while also being warned of the harsher repercussions of doing wicked
deeds than usual.
In the past, pilgrimage required a significant expenditure
of both time and money.
People would frequently go on pilgrimage for months or
years, visiting a number of different pilgrimage sites.
This was seen as a spiritually worthy use of one's money, a
belief that persists today.
For most individuals, such a chance comes just once in a
lifetime, usually in their later years, and this long-awaited fulfillment must
have added to their pleasure.
Although this pattern was greatly changed by the
introduction of train transport in the late 1800s, it survived in the Himalayas
until far into the twentieth century.
People were able to visit areas with relative ease and speed
with the introduction of train travel.
This convenience promoted not just frequent trips, but also
visits with fewer stops along the route.
The development of tourism, which is being pushed by state
governments as a method to create cash for the local people, has caused the
most recent alteration in pilgrimage patterns.
It is impossible to deny that "viewing the sights"
has always been a component of pil grimage, providing a religiously sanctioned
reason to travel.
However, the aim, then as today, was that this voyage be
made for serious reasons rather than for fun.
Some modern Hindus are concerned that the advent of tourism
has commercialized the holiness of their sacred sites; others, more sanguine
spirits, believe that the emphasis on tourism is merely a greater expression of
long-standing tendencies that will have no impact on the really devout.
