Page 11 - OPIHI (English)

Çréla Prabhupäda on Visiting Places of

Pilgrimage

The following is a selection from the many statements of Çréla Prabhupäda
on this subject.

In the land of Bhäratavarña there are many hundreds and thousands of
places of pilgrimage distributed all over the country, and by traditional
practice the common man visits such holy places during all seasons of the
year. (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.1.17, purport)

There are four dhämas, or kingdoms of God, which represent the planets of
the spiritual sky, which consists of the brahma-jyotir and the Vaikuëöhas.
These are Badarikäçrama, Rämeçvaram, Jagannätha Puré and Dvärakä.
Faithful Hindus still visit all these holy places for perfection of spiritual
realization, following in the footsteps of devotees like Uddhava. (Çrémad-
Bhägavatam 3.4.22, purport)

Places of pilgrimage yield a special advantage for a devotee in quickly
advancing his spiritual life. Lord Kåñëa lives everywhere, but still it is
very easy to approach Him in holy places of pilgrimage because these
places are inhabited by great sages. Lord Çré Kåñëa says that He lives
wherever His devotees are chanting the glories of His transcendental
activities. There are many places of pilgrimage in India, and especially
prominent are Badaré-näräyaëa, Dvärakä, Rämeçvaram and Jagannätha
Puré. These sacred places are called the four dhämas. Dhäma refers to a
place where one can immediately contact the Supreme Lord. To go to
Badaré-näräyaëa one has to pass through Hardwar on the path to the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. Similarly, there are other holy places
of pilgrimage, such as Prayäga (Allahabad) and Mathurä, and the topmost
of them all is Våndävana. Unless one is very advanced in spiritual life, it
is recommended that he live in such holy places and execute devotional
service there.(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.8.42, purport)

The gåhastha should also visit the holy places of pilgrimage mentioned in
the Puräëas. In this way he should fully engage in worshiping the Supreme

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