A Hindu Pilgrimage
a pilgrimage - the paralysed and physically sick, at an unfair disadvantage. Simply put, they would not be able to get as close as they could, to becoming released from the cycle of death and rebirth, as a result of not being capable of journeying on a pilgrimage which is totally unfair.
Therefore, pilgrimage should not play a major role within the Hindu religion. By placing great importance and significance on pilgrimages, a bad message is transgressed to and adopted by Hindu. For they will believe that through physical means of travelling on a pilgrimage, they will attain additional darsan and that their sins can be completely washed away. However, if I was a Hindu who did not have the means by which to go on a pilgrimage then this would not bode well for me. I could be a Hindu who lives a saintly life, compared to a pilgrim that sins time after time, and yet receive less darsan than a pilgrim that sins to a far greater extent than i , as long as pilgrimages are regarded as being a significant aspect Hinduism. (Chaduri , N , 1979 ,p 153 )
Sadhus are essentially regarded as walking temples that are believed to carry the sacred fire within their being, and of which fire is signified as the messenger of God that depicts purity and salvation. Since sadhus are believed, by Hindus, to be walking temples, it seems that there is not really a need for pilgrimages. Sadhus expound blessings though they have the added advantage over pilgrimages , in that they teach, advise, guide peoples' lives, and can be turned to, in times of desparation, trouble and despair.
Sadhus act as spiritual advisors, councillors, and psycho therapist, all wraped in one. On the whole, sadhus give people a sense of security in the form of offering psycholgical assurance. Pilgrimage sites may give darsan, however, they cannot speak to Hindus, or give them sound advice and which road or path in life to travel. Sadhus do a great deal more for Hindus than pilgrimages do and in actual fact pilgrimages have lead to great despair, through the rigours of journeying on pilgrimage sites, and in many cases has, as a result, led to many deaths.
Pilgrimages seem to be very detrimental to livelihood of Hindu people in comparison to the sadhus who can directly assist Hindus in the flesh - physically. On this note, I see no reason or justification to say pilgrimages are more significant thn sadhus because sadhus are temples themselves. And based on this, the Hindu religion would in no way be dramatically affected if pilrimages were emphasised less than they are today. However, because of all the activities sadhus carry out for people, it would be extremely detrimental for the Hindu religion as a whole if sadhus had no recognition because Hindus would have to deal with obstacles and problems in life without the aid of sadhus.
Brahmans are attached to the locality of pilgrimage sites, who exact fees even from [next page]