Religion

PILGRIMAGES
Every devout Hindu entertains the idea of undertaking pilgrimage to  sacred Hindu temples associated with Hindu Mythology. This is almost equal to undertaking a national tour or Bharat Darshan or Bharat Yatra. Because all the sacred places are scattered almost in all directions and  in every Indian State. Even the poor and illiterate  rural folk dream of undertaking a pilgrimage to KASI (Benares,) and there after to RAMESWARAM in the southern tip of India. In fact to   a pious Hindu, every hill, each river, and all   ancient towns and cities have Temples hallowed by    the   sacred memories of the Great Saints, and the Legendary Heroes and Heroines. 

Compulsory    visit once in lifetime, thus becomes unavoidable. This is besides the annual pilgrimages to a favourite and  popular center of pilgrimage within  affordable cost and reasonable distance. Dip in the sacred rivers  is   part of the pilgrim’s progress towards Moksha or salvation. Despite geographical hurdles, linguistic barriers, political vicissitude and  harassment by the highway robbers, the Hindu Pilgrims through out  the ages ventured to fulfil their religious vows in undertaking  even  hazardous pilgrimages, to the temples located in all directions all over India.Thus religious and cultural unity always existed in India before the  evolution of political unity.Almost  at every Hindu pilgrimage center, arrangements are made to stay and relax before they  fulfill their  vows. Dozens of Choultries, some dating to hundreds of years back, are endowed with maintenance grants by their pious donors spread  in all parts of India.

 madurai temple