Important holy sites of Hinduism

A feature article by an Alumbo member, Mar 20, 2007         

Summary: Information on and a guide to visiting the holy sites of Hinduism in India. These are the 7 Puris where God descends on the Earth and the 4 Dhaams, the abodes of Vishnu.

 
This article is about some important holy sites of Hinduism. These are some of the Tirthas and Dhaams - the most important holy sites. A dhaam as explained later is a sacred abode of Vishnu. There are four such important dhaams that I will mention here. A tirtha is a holy site for pilgrimage. You can go to a tirtha as a tourist to discover the soul of India. For the devout Hindu however a visit to a tirtha is a voyage of personal and spiritual discovery. These places are charged with the power of God and he visits them for that purpose. The Hindu visits a tirtha as a penance for sins committed and also for the promise of moksha or enlightenment. As explained later a visit to these important holy sites of Hinduism has a particular significance for the devout Hindu. The seven puris or Saptapuris as they are called are not just the places where you can attain moksha. God is also said to descend to the Earth in those places. For example Ayodhya was the birthplace of Lord Rama and Mathura the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Both Rama and Krishna are the avatars or incarnations of Vishnu. More information can be found on this page on the chief god of early Hinduism http://www.eastern-philosophy-and-meditation.com/chief-god-of-early-hinduism.html So the important holy sites of Hinduism are the 7 puris and the 4 dhaams (a dhaam is an abode of Vishnu). Dwarka possesses the distinction of being both a puri and a dhaam. These important holy sites of Hinduism are spread across the Indian sub-continent. Kashi, Ayodhya and Mathura are in the north in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Haridwar is at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand (or Uttaranchal). Ujjain is in Madhya Pradesh, Dwarka is by the Arabian Sea in Gujarat and Kanchipuram is in the far south in Tamil Nadu. As with all experiences a visit to these holy sites has both advantages and disadvantages, both unforgettable experiences and lack of basic conviniences. You must be prepared for both. A visit to these important holy sites of Hinduism is a unique experience. These are town built around temples that have existed since ancient times. As a result they are poorly planned. The streets are narrow, dirty and crowded and noisy and the whole experience is an assault on the senses. But you can also have experiences of unforgettable beauty. A dawn over the Ganga at Kashi, the architecture and sculpture of the holy temples, and the soaring gopurams of Kanchipuram reaching to the sky above the green palm trees - all these are unforgettable experiences. The economy of the towns in which the tirthas are located runs on the visits of the pilgrims and the tourists. As a result you will find all modern conveniences and amenities in their hotels. However be warned about the priestly class (or the pandits) and the guides. Some of the priests and sadhus are no doubt holy men. But for most of the others your visit is a business opportunity and you will find them both ruthless and persistent. The exception is Tirupathi, which is run by an elected board and the temple is run very efficiently. All said and done you will find a visit to these important holy sites of Hinduism an unforgettable experience. I do not wish to discourage you from making a trip but you must be prepared for inconveniences and even hardships. Public conveniences like toilets and urinals will be conspicuous by their absence. But you will have the privilege of visiting the holy sites, there is the pleasure of exploring fascinating old streets, riverside ghats, busy bazaars and special food stalls. Find yourself a quiet corner in a temple courtyard and watch the living practice of Hinduism. The cheerful bustle of life, chanting of mantras, snatches of song and laughter of the children will give you a glimpse of the soul of India and of the ancient Hindu way of life that is practiced here. About the author For the story of the avataars of Vishnu and a free ecourse valued at $ 30 please visit Chief God of early Hinduism

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