Pilgrimages of India

A pilgrimage is a journey of faith, a quest for enlightenment and a path to a discovery of one’s deepest beliefs. Going on a pilgrimage is one of the deepest spiritual needs of human beings. People all across the world have been going on pilgrimages for centuries. No one knows, when pilgrimages began in India but they are mentioned in all our most sacred texts like the Vedas and the Puranas. Our epic heroes like Lord Rama and the Pandavas of the Mahabharata went on pilgrimages as gods are said to reside in Hindu sacred sites.

A pilgrimage is usually a journey to a place that is believed to be sacred and possesses a unique spiritual resonance. It could be a temple, a mosque or church. Also a place touched by the presence of a great teacher like the Buddha or Guru Nanak. It could also be a sacred river, a mountain or even an island on the ocean that was visited by the hero of an epic like Lord Rama’s arrival at Rameswaram.

India is a kaleidoscope of religions. In India we have sacred sites of most of the major religions of the world – Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Zoroastrian, Baha’i and Jews. In India, every religion has its sacred spaces and pilgrim routes. Every person of faith has his or her unique reasons for going on this spiritual quest. After all, this is the land that saw the birth of four major religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. In India, religion remains a part of our daily life.

A pilgrimage is also a time of discovery. A great pilgrim town is not just about a shrine, it is also a magnificent cultural experience. The pilgrim can enjoy viewing some of the finest architecture of India. These pilgrimages offer an unparalleled panorama of sights and sounds – the sculptures on the walls of Hindu and Jain temples, the elegant architecture of the churches of Goa, the joyous, musical worship at the shrine of a Sufi saint or the tranquil ambience of the Guru Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar.

At a pilgrim town, the pilgrim can gain from the wisdom of great teachers, philosophers and priests. Religion has not only been the greatest inspiration of our architects and sculptors but also of poets, philosophers, painters, musicians and dancers. They are places where weavers, metal and wood craftsmen and jewellers produce their finest work. Also, there are the vibrant and colourful festivals that draw pilgrims from every corner of the land, like the chariot festival of the Rath Yatra at Puri, the mammoth gathering at the Kumbh Melas, the celebration of Id at mosques and the Urs festivals at Sufi dargahs.

So our pilgrimages will offer not just prayers and rituals but also a cultural panorama and the work of some of our finest craftspeople.

A pilgrimage is a very personal experience. It can be a search for enlightenment; a source of peace; an answer to prayers and a quest for salvation. It is what you seek that gives meaning to your life. It can be at the door of a temple, at the feet of a guru or a space within your heart.

At Daiwik Hotels, we understand your journey and aim to provide you with all you need to make your pilgrimage an unforgettable experience. With faith and caring, we at Daiwik Hotels join you on your pilgrimage.