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x     ÇrélA prABhupädA on Visiting plACes of pilgrimAge


           Personality of Godhead for the benefit of his family, his society, his country,
           and humanity at large. (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.14, summary)

           It is stated in the Puräëas, “Persons who attempt to visit the holy places
           of pilgrimage, like Våndävana, Mathurä or Dvärakä, are actually glorified.
           By  such  traveling  activities,  they  can  pass  over  the  desert  of  material
           existence.” (Nectar of Devotion, chapter 9)

           Visiting the temple of a devotee and looking at the profusely decorated
           forms  of  the  Lord  well  dressed  in  a  well-decorated,  sanctified  temple
           naturally  infuse  the  mundane  mind  with  spiritual  inspiration.  People
           should visit holy places like Våndävana where such temples and worship
           of the Deity are specifically maintained. Formerly all rich men like kings
           and  rich  merchants  constructed  such  temples  under  the  direction  of
           expert devotees of the Lord, like the six Gosvämés, and it is the duty of the
           common man to take advantage of these temples and festivals observed in
           the holy places of pilgrimage by following in the footsteps of great devotees
           (anuvraja).  One  should  not  visit  all  these  sanctified  pilgrimage  places
           and temples with sightseeing in mind, but one must go to such temples
           and sanctified places immortalized by the transcendental pastimes of the
           Lord and be guided by proper men who know the science. This is called
           anuvraja. Anu means to follow. It is therefore best to follow the instruction
           of the bona fide spiritual master, even in visiting temples and the holy
           places of pilgrimage. One who does not move in that way is as good as a
           standing tree condemned by the Lord not to move. The moving tendency
           of the human being is misused by visiting places for sightseeing. The best
           purpose of such traveling tendencies could be fulfilled by visiting the holy
           places established by great äcäryas and thereby not being misled by the
           atheistic  propaganda  of  moneymaking  men  who  have  no  knowledge  of
           spiritual matters. (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 2.3.22, purport)
           The  purpose  of  pilgrimages  is  to  remember  the  Lord  constantly,  and
           therefore the Lord is known as tértha-kérti. The purpose of going to a place
           of pilgrimage is to get the chance to glorify the Lord. Even today, although
           times have changed, there are still pilgrimage sites in India. For example, in
           Mathurä and Våndävana, where we had a chance to stay, people are awake
           from early in the morning at 4 a.m. up until nighttime and are constantly
           engaged, some way or other, in chanting the holy glories of the Lord. The
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