Page 13 - OPIHI (English)

ÇrélA prABhupädA on Visiting plACes of pilgrimAge xi

beauty of such a pilgrimage site is that automatically one remembers the
holy glories of the Lord. (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.1.45, purport)

Another significant point is that one must go to sacred places not only
to take bath there but to search out great sages like Maitreya and take
instructions from them. If one does not do so, his traveling to places of
pilgrimage is simply a waste of time. Narottama Däsa Öhäkura, a great
äcärya of the Vaiñëava sect, has, for the present, forbidden us to go to such
places of pilgrimage because in this age, the times having so changed, a
sincere person may have a different impression on seeing the behavior of
the present residents of the pilgrimage sites. He has recommended that
instead of taking the trouble to travel to such places, one should concentrate
his mind on Govinda, and that will help him. Of course, to concentrate
one’s mind on Govinda in any place is a path meant for those who are the
most spiritually advanced; it is not for ordinary persons. Ordinary persons
may still derive benefit from traveling to holy places like Prayäga, Mathurä,
Våndävana and Hardwar. (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.20.4, purport)

According to Vedic civilization, therefore, the holy places of pilgrimage
are considered most sacred, and still there are hundreds and thousands
of holy places like Jagannätha Puré, Våndävana, Hardwar, Rämeçvara,
Prayäga and Mathurä. India is the place for worshiping or for cultivating
spiritual life. (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.14.29, purport)

To travel to different places of pilgrimage means to attain emancipation
from material bondage. (Nectar of Devotion, chapter 12)