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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)
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