Hindu Pilgrimage

Starter Task: Write down five things you think of when looking at this picture.

PILGRIMAGE PASSPORT

HINDUISM

Aims:AT1: To understand

the idea of pilgrimage.

AT2: To consider places of importance

to ourselves. PLTS: Organise time

and resources, prioritising actions.

(Self Managers 3)

Pilgrimage

Extension task(level 6)

Vrindavan

The name ‘Vrindavan’ is said to have come from Vrinda Devi, one of Lord Krishna’s friends during his childhood.

Vrindavan is the place where Lord Krishna is believed to have spent his childhood. The Puranas state that as a boy Krishna played pranks on the gopis (milkmaids) in the forests by stealing their clothes while they bathed in the river.

Vrindavan has 11 temples and one of the most important of these is the Bankey Bihari Temple. Here worshippers clash small cymbals together as they move in time to ancient rhythms. The Bankey Bihari Temple is home to a sacred image of Krishna which shows Krishna with an almost blackened body. Worshippers enter the shrine room and offer garlands of flower petals to the spirit of the statue.

AyodhyaAyodhya city was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Ayodhya, where Lord Rama, the 7th avatar of Vishnu was born. Rama should have been king of Ayodhya but was sent into exile for 14 years. During this time his wife Sita was abducted by Ravana the demon king of Lanka. After a long journey and a massive war against Ravana, Rama saves Sita and returns to Ayodhya where he becomes king and reigns for 11,000 years.

The story of Rama King of Ayodhya is found in the Hindu Epic the ‘Ramayana’.

The city of Ayodhya is one of the seven holiest cities of India. Hindu pilgrims visiting Ayodhya during festivals and important religious functions consider to wash in the sacred River Saryu will bring them good fortune.

VaranasiThe respected and ancient city Varanasi, also known as Banaras, is the religious centre of the Hindu world. It is believed to be one of the oldest cities in India still in existence.

Soon after sunrise, the city's river banks burst into life. Brahmins (religious teachers) read passages from sacred Hindu texts, and priests mark the foreheads of pilgrims with the ashes of sacrifices burnt by the river in worship of the gods and particularly Shiva who is believed to have once lived here.

The city rises from the banks of the river Ganga (Ganges), the holiest of all Indian rivers. Life in Varanasi begins before dawn when thousands of pilgrims come down to the river to wait for the rising sun and for the moment when washing in the sacred river will cleanse them of their sins.

River GangesHindu legend states Ganga (Ganges) is a

goddess and the daughter of the king of the mountains. Ganga had the power to purify anything that touched her and she flowed from the heavens and purified the people of India. Hindu belief holds that bathing in the river Ganges causes the forgiveness of sins.

Many Hindus believe that to be in the Ganges, especially at the holy city of Varanasi, at the time of your death means you are immediately freed from samsara, attain Moksha, and become one with Brahman.

Special entry points called ‘ghats’ are built to help people to get in and out of the river. They are also used for cremating bodies by the river. All Hindus would like their ashes to be scattered into the Ganges to help cleanse them of their sins.

PlenaryThink, Pair, Share:

What is a pilgrimage?Who might go on a pilgrimage?

Where might a Hindu go for a pilgrimage?Why might a Hindu go on a pilgrimage?