Pilgrimage and Festivals

Pilgrimage is not mandatory in Hinduism though many adherents undertake them.   Hindus recognize several Indian holy cities, including Allahabad, Haridwar, Varanasi, and Vrindavan . Notable temple cities include Puri, which hosts a major Vaishnava Jagannath temple and Rath Yatra celebration; Tirumala - Tirupati, home to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple; and Katra, home to the Vaishno Devi temple . The four holy sites Puri, Rameswaram, Dwarka, and Badrinath (or alternatively the Himalayan towns of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri) compose the Char Dham (four abodes) pilgrimage circuit . The Kumbh Mela (the "pitcher festival") is one of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimages that is held every four years; the location is rotated among Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain . Another important set of pilgrimages are the Shakti Peethas, where the Mother Goddess is worshiped, the two principal ones being Kalighat and Kamakhya.

Hinduism has many festivals throughout the year . The Hindu calendar usually prescribe their dates . The festivals typically celebrate events from Hindu mythology, often coinciding with seasonal changes . There are festivals which are primarily celebrated by specific sects or in certain regions of the Indian subcontinent . Some widely observed Hindu festivals are Maha Shivaratri, Holi, Ram Navami, Krishna Janmastami ,Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussera or Durga Puja, Diwali (the festival of lights).

Hingedmind provides the following information on Hinduism as a starting point for better understanding. We encourage you to explore the links section and the various pages on Hinduism. Also, take the time to search on the web for specifics concerning your search.

Hingedmind does not promote or endorse a religion, belief system, or practice. Hingedmind believes no path is a wrong path. Each individual is accountable for his or her path and decisions. Hingedmind provides this information only as a reference and is not responsible for content authenticity or accuracy.