Yatra - Revision history

Leonpcs: improve intro for clarity

2026-02-16T01:34:25Z

improve intro for clarity

CleanupBot: clean up

2022-12-11T05:38:03Z

clean up

58.182.176.169: 1, Contextual wikilinking. 2. lede enhancement

2021-07-26T07:51:28Z

1, Contextual wikilinking. 2. lede enhancement

New page

{{other uses}}
{{short description|Pilgrimage in Indian religions}}
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2015}}
[[File:Kedarnathroute.jpg|thumb|[[Pilgrimage]] to [[Kedarnath]]]]

'''{{IAST|Yātrā}}''' ([[Sanskrit]]: यात्रा, 'journey', 'procession'), in [[Indian religion|Indian-origin religions]], [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]], generally means a pilgrimage to holy places such as [[Triveni Sangam|confluences]] of [[River#Sacred_rivers|sacred rivers]], [[Sacred_mountains#India|sacred mountains]], places associated with Hindu epics such as the [[Mahabharata]] and [[Ramayana]], and [[Hindu_pilgrimage_sites_in_India|other sacred pilgrimage sites]].<ref>{{cite book | last =Juergensmeyer | first =Mark | author-link =Mark Juergensmeyer | title =The Oxford Handbook of Global Religions | publisher =Oxford University Press | year =2006 | location =U.S. | isbn =0-19-513798-1 }}</ref> Visiting a sacred place is believed by the pilgrim to purify the self and bring one closer to the divine.<ref>{{cite book | last =Timothy | first =Dallen J. |author2=Daniel H. Olsen | title =Tourism, Religion and Spiritual Journeys | publisher =Routledge | year =2006 | isbn =0-415-35445-5 }}</ref> The journey itself is as important as the destination, and the hardships of travel serve as an act of devotion in themselves.<ref name="fowler">{{cite book|title=Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices|chapter=Yatra: Pilgrimage|last=Fowler|first=Jeaneane D.|publisher=[[Sussex Academic Press]]|year=1997|isbn=1-898723-60-5}}</ref>

'''Tīrtha-yātrā''' refers to a [[pilgrimage]] to a [[Tirtha and Kshetra|sacred site]] and is generally [[Parikrama#Important_pilgrimage_circuits_of_indic-faiths|undertaken in groups]]. '''Yatri''' is the term for anyone who undertakes the yatra. As per [[Vedic]] [[Hindu]] [[Dharma]] [[Shastra]]s, a Yatri is ought to perform Yatra on foot, called [[padayatra]], ideally barefoot as a from of [[Tapas (Indian religions)|tapasya]] in which he/she should travel without umbrellas, vehicles etc., to get the benefit of the Yatra. Though, many yatris do not follow these [[niyama]]s.

In present times, yatras are highly organized affairs, with specialized [[tourism]] companies catering to the need of yatris. [[States and territories of India|State]] governments are sometimes involved in the organization of annual yatras, stipulating numbers, registering yatris, and regulating yatri traffic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kashmirdivision.nic.in/about/services/amryatra.htm|title=Amarnath Yatra|publisher=Office of Divisional Commissioner, [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] Government|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019102903/http://kashmirdivision.nic.in/about/services/amryatra.htm|archive-date=2007-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=tG0fnF0VRk0C&q=yatra+%22state+government%22&pg=PA94| title=Social, Cultural and Economic History of Himachal Pradesh|chapter=Holy ''Chhari'' or Manimahesh Yatra|last=Singh Ahluwalia|first=Manjit| year=1998|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=81-7387-089-6}}</ref> The Hindu sacred month of ''[[Shravan]]'' is also the time of the annual [[Kanwar Yatra]], the annual pilgrimage of devotees of [[Shiva]], known as ''Kanwaria'' make to Hindu pilgrimage places of [[Haridwar]], [[Gaumukh]] and [[Gangotri]] in [[Uttarakhand]] to fetch holy waters of [[Ganges River]], way back in 2003, 55 lakh pilgrims reach Haridwar.<ref name="fr">{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2117/stories/20040827000206600.htm|title=SPOTLIGHT: The long walk for worship|volume=21|issue=17|date=August 14–27, 2004|publisher=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]], ([[The Hindu]])|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806091502/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2117/stories/20040827000206600.htm|archive-date=2010-08-06}}</ref> Other important [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|Tirtha]] pilgrimages are [[Char Dham]] Yatra, which involves [[Badrinath]], [[Kedarnath]], [[Gangotri]], and [[Yamunotri]]; [[Amarnath yatra]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]].

There are numerous [[Hindu pilgrimage sites in India|pilgrimage sites in India]] and [[Hindu pilgrimage sites|elsewhere]].

==Types of yatras ==

In order of importance, in India there are 7 [[Sapta Puri]] holy cities, 4 Dhams ([[Char Dham]]) and 12 [[Jyotirlinga|Jyotirlings]] devoted to the Lord [[Shiva]], 51 [[Shakti Pitha]]s devoted to the feminine manifestation of the god, and the important Lord [[Rama]] circuit ([[Ayodhya]], [[Chitrakoot,_Madhya_Pradesh#Places_of_tourist_importance|Chitrakoot]], [[Hampi]] and [[Rameswaram]]) and Lord Krishna circuit ([[Vraja Parikrama|Braj]]. [[48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra| Kurukshetra]] and [[Dwarka]]).

'''Holiest cities:''' [[Sapta Puri]] are [[Ayodhya]], [[Mathura]], [[Haridwar]], [[Varanasi]], [[Kanchipuram]], [[Ujjain]] and [[Dwarka]]. [[Kurukshetra]], includes [[Jyotisar]] where [[Bhagavad Gita]] was revealed, is another holiest city.

'''Holy rivers:''' The [[ghat]]s of holiest rivers are sacred, including [[Ganges]], [[Yamuna]], [{Sarasvati River]] ([[Ghaggar-Hakra River|Ghaggar River]]), [[Narmada]], etc.

'''Holy mountains:''' such as [[Mount Kailash]], [[Badrinath]], [[Kedarnath]], [[Gangotri]], and [[Yamunotri]], [[Bandarpunch|Sarasvatotri]], etc.

'''Holy [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|Tirtha]]s (places):''' such as [[Char Dham]] and [[Himalaya]]n [[Chota Char Dham]] ([[Badrinath]], [[Kedarnath]], [[Gangotri]], and [[Yamunotri]]), and [[Varanasi]], [[Prayagraj]], [[Haridwar]]-[[Rishikesh]], [[Mathura]]-[[Vrindavan]], [[Ayodhya]], [[Dwarka]] and [[Rameswaram]]. See also [[Tirtha and Kshetra]].

* Sacred river circuit: Yatra to and [[parikrama]] of sacred rivers include [[Ganges]], [[Yamuna]], [[Sarasvati]], [[Narmada River|Narmada]], etc.

'''Holy Fairs and [[List of Hindu festivals|Hindu festivals]]:''' The [[Kumbh Mela]] (the "pitcher festival") is one of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimages that is held four times every twelve years; the location is rotated among the four cities of [[Prayagraj]], [[Haridwar]], [[Nashik]], and [[Ujjain]]. The [[Mahamaham]] in temple town of [[Kumbakonam]] is also celebrated once in 12 years. Annual [[Gita Mahotsav]] at [[Kurukshetra]], [[Baidyanath_Temple#Shravan_Mela_and_yatra|Shravani Mela]] at [[Deoghar]], and [[Pitru_Paksha#When_and_where|Pitrapaksha Mela]] at [[Gaya, India|Gaya]] are also notable holy fairs.

'''Holy Temples:''' Examples are the [[Char Dham]] of [[Rameswaram]], [[Dwarka]], [[Puri]] and [[Badrinath]]; [[Katra, Jammu and Kashmir|Katra]], home to the [[Vaishno Devi]] temple; [[Puri]] home to [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] [[Jagannath]] temple and [[Rath Yatra]] celebration; [[Tirumala - Tirupati]], home to the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]]; [[Sabarimala]] home to [[Ayyappan|Swami Ayyappan]]; the 108 '''[[Divya Desam]]s'''; the '''[[Shakti Peethas]]'''; the twelve '''[[Jyotirlingas|Maha Jyotirlingas]]'''; the seven [[Sapta Puri]]; the [[Pancha Bhoota Stalam]].

'''Holy processions:''' 'Yatra' can also be described as a procession, or any festival which figures a procession, such as [[Kanwar Yatra]] and [[Rath Yatra]]. In Rath Yatra, chariots are pulled in parade down the streets of [[Puri (city)|Puri]] in [[Orissa, India|Orissa]]. In modern times the word can be used to denote marches or demonstrations, for political, environmental or societal causes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/jal_adhikar_yatra_takes_off.html|title=Jal Adhikar Yatra Takes Off|date=September 10, 2006|publisher=The South Asian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/03/stories/2005100302571300.htm|title='Save Noyyal Yatra' draws good crowd|date=October 3, 2005|publisher=[[The Hindu]] Business Line|access-date=2008-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607215048/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/03/stories/2005100302571300.htm|archive-date=2009-06-07|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.whiteband.org/media/gcap-news/archives/gcapnews.2007-07-03.0004416740|title=India's rally for Right to Education - Shiksha Adhikar Yatra|date=July 3, 2007|publisher=[[Global Call to Action Against Poverty]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719163450/http://www.whiteband.org/media/gcap-news/archives/gcapnews.2007-07-03.0004416740/|archive-date=July 19, 2008}}</ref> The terms '[[wikt:jatra|jatra]]' and '[[zatra]]' are derived from yatra.

'''Holy Deities: ''' [[kuladevata|Kuladaivat]] Hindu families have their own family patron deity. This deity is common to a lineage, a clan or a locality.

'''[[Samadhi (shrine)|Samadhis]] (shrines) of [[Sadhu]]s (Saints):''' [[Alandi]], Samadhi of Dnyaneshwar: [[Mantralayam]], samadhi of [[Raghavendra Tirtha]], [[Belur Math]] which enshrine that Holy remains of [[Sri Ramakrishna]], [[Sri Sarada Devi]], [[Swami Vivekananda]] Puri, and other direct Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, [[Tulsi Ghat]], [[Varanasi]] where Saint [[Tulsidas]] left his mortal coil, Samadhi Mandir of Saint [[Kabir]] at [[Gorakhpur]], near [[Varanasi]], Panchaganga Ghat, Varanasi where [[Trailanga Swami]] lived and left his mortal body, Karar Ashram, [[Puri]] where [[Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri]], attained the Mahasamadhi.<ref>Yogananda, Paramahansa (1997). Autobiography of a Yogi, 1997 Anniversary Edition p. 383. Self-Realization Fellowship (Founded by Yogananda) http://www.yogananda-srf.org/,</ref>

==Important national pilgrimage circuits of Indic-religions==
{{anchor | Circuit | Circuits | National circuit | National yatra | Rashtriya yatra | National Yatra | Rashtriya Yatra | Yatra circuit | Yatra Circuit }}

A yatra or pilgrimage across a much larger area covering multiple faraway cities or sites, related to a specific deity or theme, are called the "circuit". Three most important Hindu-Buddhist "Rahtriya yatra" (national pilgrimage circuit) are related to the important figures such as Lord Rama, the Lord Krishna and the Lord Buddha, Guru Nanak, etc where they had personally visited are as follows.

* [[Char Dham]], holiest pilgrimage circuit of 4 sites viz. Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri and Rameswaram.

* [[Chota Char Dham]], smaller pilgrimage circuit of 4 sites in Uttarakhand viz. Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath

* [[Jyotirlinga|Maha Jyotirlinga]], 12 holiest Shiva lingam temples in India

* [[Krishna]] circuit: This prikarma entails the [[Vraja Parikrama]], [[48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra]], [[Dwarka]], [[Bhalka]] (place of death of Lord Krishna).

* [[Rama]] circuit: This prikarma entails [[Ayodhya]], [[Chitrakoot,_Madhya_Pradesh#Places_of_tourist_importance|Chitrakoot]], [[Hampi]] and [[Rameswaram]].

* [[Sapta Puri]], 7 holiest Hindu cities in India viz. [[Ayodhya]], [[Mathura]], [[Haridwar]], [[Varanasi]], [[Kanchipuram]], [[Ujjain]], [[Dwarka]].

* Lord Buddha circuit: This prikarma entails the [[Lumbini]], [[Bodh Gaya]], [[Sarnath]], [[Sravasti]] ([[Jetavana]]), [[Rajgir hills]], [[Kurukshetra]] ([[Bodh Stupa]] on bank of [[Brahma Sarovar]], pilgrimage undertaken by Lord Buddha), [[Sugh Ancient Mound|Shrughna]] ([[Yamunanagar]], vihara visited by Buddha for sermon), [[Adi Badri, Haryana|Adi Badri]] (saraswati udgam sthal and vihara visited by Buddha), [[Parinirvana Stupa]] (place of death and [[nirvana]] of Lord Buddha at [[Kushinagar]], and [[Sankissa]]. See also [[Buddhist pilgrimage sites]].

* Sikh circuit: This prikarma entails the following:
** [[Panj Takht]], namely [[Golden Temple]], [[Takht Sri Patna Sahib]], [[Hazur Sahib|Nanded Hazur Sahib]], [[Takht Sri Damdama Sahib|Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Bhatinda]], and [[Anandpur Sahib]].
** [[Guru Nanak]]'s birth and death places at [[Gurdwara Janam Asthan]] and [[Kartarpur Corridor]] (both in Pakistan}.
** Martyrs's places at [[Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib]] and [[Fatehgarh Sahib]] of martyrdom of [[Guru Tegh Bahadur]] and children of Guru Gobind Singh respectively by Muslim rulers for refusing to convert to Islam
** Place of pilgrims by Sikh Gurus: [[Kurukshetra]], [[Kapal Mochan]], [[Paonta Sahib]], etc.
** Capitals of important Sikh states: [[Lahore]] (capital of largest Sikh state of Maharaja [[Ranjit Singh]]) and [[Lohgarh (Bilaspur)|Lohgarh]] (capital of Sikh state founded by Baba [[Banda Bahadur]] in Yamunanagar).
** [[Fateh Burj]] at Chapar Chiri where Banda bahadur defeated mughals in [[Battle of Chappar Chiri]] and avenged murder of Sikh gurus and their children.

==Famous yatras==
{{anchor | Famous || Yatra | Popular }}

===48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra ===
[[File:48_kos_parikrama.jpg|thumb|240x180px|right|48 kos parikrama route related to Lord Krishna and Mahabharata in and around Kurukshetra in Haryana.]]

[[48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra]], phrase meaning a 48 [[Kos (unit)|kos]] circumambulation [[parikrama]] ([[pilgrimage]]) of various [[Mahabharata]]-related and other [[vedic period|vedic]] era [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|tirthas]] ([[Hindu]] sacred sites), around the holy city of [[Kurukshetra]] in the state of [[Haryana]], India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kurukshetra.nic.in/MAPs/ReligiousMap/map.jpg |title=Kurukshetra map |website=kurukshetra.nic.in |access-date=24 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625103022/http://www.kurukshetra.nic.in/MAPs/ReligiousMap/map.jpg |archive-date=25 June 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="hartour">{{cite web | url=http://haryanatourism.gov.in/showpage.aspx?contentid=5106 | title=Haryana Tourism | access-date=24 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="cmhry">{{cite web | url=http://haryanacmoffice.gov.in/newsupdates/details/id/737 | title=Development of all pilgrimage sites located within a radius of 48 kos (miles) of Kurukshetra would be carried out |date=11 October 2015| publisher=Chief Minister's Office, Haryana | access-date=24 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="harekrsna">{{cite web | url=http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/05-12/features2460.htm | title=The 48 Kos Kurukshetra Region | publisher=harekrsna.com | access-date=24 July 2016}}</ref> Within Kurukshetra, along with Brahma Sarovar, other important sites are [[Jyotisar]] (place of ''"Gitaupadesha"'' - the first [[Upadeśa]] or discourse of [[Bhagavad Gita]] by Lord Krishna)<ref>[http://www.kurukshetra.nic.in/tour/Religious/tirath/Kurukshetra/014-joytisar/index.htm Jyotisar] Kurukshetra district website.</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Jyotisar | publisher=[[Haryana Tourism Corporation Limited]] | url = http://haryanatourism.gov.in/showpage.aspx?contentid=5326 | access-date = 2014-08-08 }}</ref> and [[Sannihit Sarovar]] ([[Hindu genealogy registers at Kurukshetra, Haryana|Hindu genealogy registers of Kurukshetra]] are kept here).<ref>{{cite web | title = Tirath in Kurukshetra - Sannehit Sarovar|publisher=Kurukshetra district website | url = http://www.kurukshetra.nic.in/tour/Religious/tirath/Kurukshetra/011-sanhitsarovar/index.htm | access-date = 2014-08-08 }}</ref> Since this is a site associated with the [[vedic era]] Lord [[Krishna]] and [[mahabharata]], it is an important place of [[pilgrimage]] for [[Hindu]]s. It is one of 3 main pilgrimage sites related to ''"Krishna"'' circuit, namely ''"48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra"'' in Haryana, ''"[[Vraja Parikrama|Braj parikarma]]"'' in [[Mathura]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]] state and "''[[Dwarkadhish Temple#Pilgrimage|Dwarka parkarma]]"'' (Dwarkadish yatra) at [[Dwarkadhish Temple]] in [[Gujarat]] state.

kurukshetra is of religious significance to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.

===84 Kosi parikrama===

The 84-Kosi Yatra is a tradition in Hindu religion that has been there for thousands of years with the belief that it gives deliverance to the performer from the cycle of 84-Lakh Yonis (the cycle of birth and death). According to Hindu belief, the king of Ayodhya performed the "yagna" in the "treta period" at a place in Makhurha in Basti district of [[Uttar Pradesh]] which included circumnavigating the six districts in the region. Some religious leaders believe that the right place to start the parikrama should be Basti instead of Ayodhya. According to some, the dates for 84-Kosi Yatra are fixed and takes place in the month of [[Chaitra]].

===Amarnath Yatra===
[[File:Amarnath yatra.jpg|thumb|Pilgrims crossing a narrow bridge to the holy shrine of Amarnath.]]

The [[Amarnath Temple]] in Jammu and Kashmir is dedicated to Shiva, one of the trinity of gods. The temple is on [[Amarnath Peak]], and is among the most famous shrines in Hinduism. Every year inside the main Amarnath cave an ice Shiva [[lingam]] forms, along with two other ice formations representing Ganesha and Parvati. Amarnath yatra is held every year to pay homage to Shiva and Parvati. The temple is a very popular yatra destination for Hindus; about four lakh people visit during the season.

===Brij Yatra===
[[File:KesiGhat_River.JPG|thumb|240x180px|right|Kesi Ghat in vrindavan in the Yamuna River.]]

[[Vraja Parikrama]] circuit of pilgrimage was formally established by the 16th century [[sadhu]]s of [[Sampradaya#Vaishnava sampradayas|vaishnava sampradaya]] with fixed routes, itinerary and rituals. The circuit covers is spread across 2500 km2 area with 84 [[Kos (unit)|kos]] or 300 km long periphery extending 10 km to east and 50 km to north and west. Braj has two main types of pilgrimage circuits, the traditional longer ''"Braj Yatra"'' encompassing the whole circuit, and the other shorter significantly modified contemporary point-to-point pilgrimage to visit the main sites at Mathura, Vrindavan, [[Gokul]], [[Govardhan]]. The former, longer traditional pilgrimage route, also includes additional sacred sites [[Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh|Nandgaon]] and [[Barsana]] with travel on foot.<ref name=janet1>Janet Cochrane, 2008, [https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=LC4c7i3WrPgC&pg=PA249&dq=Braj+region+covers+haryana+and+rajasthan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiplqzB9sXmAhWCF3IKHeV7AFgQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=Braj%20region%20covers%20haryana%20and%20rajasthan&f=false Asian Tourism: Growth and Change], page 249.</ref>

===Char Dham Yatra===

The [[Chardham]] belongs to four pilgrimage places in India; they are Badrinath, [[Dwarka]], [[Jagannath Puri]], and [[Rameshwaram]]. The [[Char Dham]] is often considered the most revered sites for Hindus that have to be visited in one's lifetime. There is a [[Chota Char Dham]] as well includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and [[Kedarnath]] situated in [[Garhwal Himalayas]].

===Deoghar Yatra===

[[Deoghar]] means abode of the gods and goddesses. It is also known as Baidyanath Dham or Baba Dham situated on the eastern side of [[Jharkhand]]. It is an important Hindu pilgrimage center having [[Baidyanath]] Temple one of the twelve Lord Shiva [[Jyothirlingam]]s in India. The pilgrims carry the holy water of holy river Ganges from [[Sultanganj]]'s and offered to the Jyotirlingam of Shiva at Deoghar. These pilgrims called Kanwariya, reciting Bol Bam on the way of walk 109 km, The march of Kanwariya start during the holy month of Shravan the wet season each year in India. [[Shraavana#Shravani Mela|Shravani Mela]] is the most celebrated 30-day festival in [[Baidyanath Temple]] Temple of Jharkhand.

===Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra===

[[Lake Manasarovar|Mansarovar]] is a fresh-water lake in [[Tibet]] near Mount [[Kailash]], and both are places of pilgrimage attracting religious people from India and neighboring countries. The mountain is considered a sacred place in four religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, [[Jainism]], and [[Bon]]. According to Hindu mythology mount Kailash is the abode of Shiva and circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot is a holy ritual. Another lake called Lake [[Rakshastal]] lying close to the west of Lake Manasarovar and The Great Mount Kailash. These lakes are the source of the [[Brahmaputra]] River and the [[Karnali River]], a tributary of the river Ganges.

===Kanwar Yatra===

The [[Kanwar Yatra]] is an annual pilgrimage of devotees of Shiva, known as ''Kānwarias'', to Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy waters of Ganges River. Millions of participants gather sacred water from the Ganga and carry it across hundreds of miles to dispense as offerings in their local Śhiva shrines, or specific temples such as Pura Mahadeva and Augharnath temple in Meerut, and Kashi Vishwanath, Baidyanath, and Deoghar in Jharkhand.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Uprising of the Fools|last=Singh|first=Vikash|publisher=Stanford University Press|year=2017}}</ref>

===Kasi yatra===

At [[Kashi Yatra]], it is customary for every Hindu to undergo Kasi yatra on barefoot. Pilgrims also visit [[Gaya district|Gaya]] to do [[Gaya Shraddha]] to their ancestors. Details regarding how to perform various rituals, the greatness of Kashi Kshetra.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/exclusives/kumbh-mela-diaries-varanasi-717844.html|title=Kumbh Mela Diaries: Varanasi}}</ref> Importance of Kasi yatra is said in '''Kasi-Khand''' of [[Skanda Purana]].{{clarify|date=November 2018}}

===Pandharpur yatra of Maharashtra===

[[Pandharpur Wari#Yatra routes|Pandharpur yatra]] is one of the most popular festivals in India.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} The annual yatra to the famous [[Vithoba]] temple at [[Pandharpur]] is held every year during the month of June and July. Thousands of pilgrims come to Pandharpur carrying [[litter (vehicle)|litters]] with the images of [[Jñāneśvar]] from [[Alandi]], [[Tukaram]] from [[Dehu]], [[Eknath]] from [[Paithan]], and [[Nivruttinath]] from [[Trimbakeshwar]]. These pilgrims are referred to as [[Varkari]]s.

===Ratha Yatra===
Among the [[Ratha Yatra]] at various sacred sites, the most popular one is [[Ratha Yatra (Puri)|Jagannath Rath jatra]] at Puri in Odisha. Other popular Rath Yatras are [[Dhamrai Jagannath Roth]], [[Rathayatra of Mahesh]], [[Ratha Yatra#Manipur|Manipur Ratha Yatra]] in Manipur which was started in 19th century and [[Ratha Yatra#ISKON|ISKON Ratha Yatra]] in more than 100 places across the world.

The Festival of Chariots of [[Jagannatha]] is held every year at Puri in the state of Orissa. The ten-day ratha yatra commemorates Lord Jagannath's annual visit to Gundicha Mata's temple a short distance away. Thousands of pilgrims come to Puri during the festival with a desire to help pull Jagannath's chariot with ropes. This is the only day when devotees who are normally not allowed in the temple premises, such as non-Hindus and foreigners, can get their glimpse of the deities.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="216px" heights="162px" perrow="3">
File:Amarnath Yatra Camp.jpg|[[Amarnath Temple#Pilgrimage or Yatra|Amarnath Yatra]] Camp.
File:Buddha Amarnath Yatra procession, Poonch.jpg|Buddha Amarnath Yatra procession, Poonch
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
*[[List of Hindu festivals]]
*[[Padayatra]]
*[[Parikrama]]
*[[Religious tourism in India]]
*[[Tirtha (Hinduism)|Tirtha]]
*[[Tirtha and Kshetra]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Amarnath Yatra}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150721223413/http://santeknath.org/palkhi%20sohala.html santeknath.org]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080305055520/http://vedabase.net/y/yatra Occurrences of the phrase 'yatra' in the Vedas]

{{Worship in Hinduism}}

[[Category:Hindu pilgrimages| ]]
[[Category:Pilgrimage in India]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:08, 11 December 2022
Line 5:		Line 5:
	[[File:Kedarnathroute.jpg\|thumb\|[[Pilgrimage]] to [[Kedarnath]]]]		[[File:Kedarnathroute.jpg\|thumb\|[[Pilgrimage]] to [[Kedarnath]]]]

	'''{{IAST\|Yātrā}}''' ([[Sanskrit]]: यात्रा, 'journey', 'procession'), in [[Indian religion\|Indian-origin religions]], [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]], generally means a pilgrimage to holy places such as [[Triveni Sangam\|confluences]] of [[River#~~Sacred_rivers~~\|sacred rivers]], [[~~Sacred_mountains~~#India\|sacred mountains]], places associated with Hindu epics such as the [[Mahabharata]] and [[Ramayana]], and [[~~Hindu_pilgrimage_sites_in_India~~\|other sacred pilgrimage sites]].<ref>{{cite book \| last =Juergensmeyer \| first =Mark \| author-link =Mark Juergensmeyer \| title =The Oxford Handbook of Global Religions \| publisher =Oxford University Press \| year =2006 \| location =U.S. \| isbn =0-19-513798-1 }}</ref> Visiting a sacred place is believed by the pilgrim to purify the self and bring one closer to the divine.<ref>{{cite book \| last =Timothy \| first =Dallen J. \|author2=Daniel H. Olsen \| title =Tourism, Religion and Spiritual Journeys \| publisher =Routledge \| year =2006 \| isbn =0-415-35445-5 }}</ref> The journey itself is as important as the destination, and the hardships of travel serve as an act of devotion in themselves.<ref name="fowler">{{cite book\|title=Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices\|chapter=Yatra: Pilgrimage\|last=Fowler\|first=Jeaneane D.\|publisher=[[Sussex Academic Press]]\|year=1997\|isbn=1-898723-60-5}}</ref>		'''{{IAST\|Yātrā}}''' ([[Sanskrit]]: यात्रा, 'journey', 'procession'), in [[Indian religion\|Indian-origin religions]], [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]], generally means a pilgrimage to holy places such as [[Triveni Sangam\|confluences]] of [[River#Sacred rivers\|sacred rivers]], [[Sacred mountains#India\|sacred mountains]], places associated with Hindu epics such as the [[Mahabharata]] and [[Ramayana]], and [[Hindu pilgrimage sites in India\|other sacred pilgrimage sites]].<ref>{{cite book \| last =Juergensmeyer \| first =Mark \| author-link =Mark Juergensmeyer \| title =The Oxford Handbook of Global Religions \| publisher =Oxford University Press \| year =2006 \| location =U.S. \| isbn =0-19-513798-1 }}</ref> Visiting a sacred place is believed by the pilgrim to purify the self and bring one closer to the divine.<ref>{{cite book \| last =Timothy \| first =Dallen J. \|author2=Daniel H. Olsen \| title =Tourism, Religion and Spiritual Journeys \| publisher =Routledge \| year =2006 \| isbn =0-415-35445-5 }}</ref> The journey itself is as important as the destination, and the hardships of travel serve as an act of devotion in themselves.<ref name="fowler">{{cite book\|title=Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices\|chapter=Yatra: Pilgrimage\|last=Fowler\|first=Jeaneane D.\|publisher=[[Sussex Academic Press]]\|year=1997\|isbn=1-898723-60-5}}</ref>

	'''Tīrtha-yātrā''' refers to a [[pilgrimage]] to a [[Tirtha and Kshetra\|sacred site]] and is generally [[Parikrama#~~Important_pilgrimage_circuits_of_indic~~-faiths\|undertaken in groups]]. '''Yatri''' is the term for anyone who undertakes the yatra. As per [[Vedic]] [[Hindu]] [[Dharma]] [[Shastra]]s, a Yatri is ought to perform Yatra on foot, called [[padayatra]], ideally barefoot as a from of [[Tapas (Indian religions)\|tapasya]] in which he/she should travel without umbrellas, vehicles etc., to get the benefit of the Yatra. Though, many yatris do not follow these [[niyama]]s.		'''Tīrtha-yātrā''' refers to a [[pilgrimage]] to a [[Tirtha and Kshetra\|sacred site]] and is generally [[Parikrama#Important pilgrimage circuits of indic-faiths\|undertaken in groups]]. '''Yatri''' is the term for anyone who undertakes the yatra. As per [[Vedic]] [[Hindu]] [[Dharma]] [[Shastra]]s, a Yatri is ought to perform Yatra on foot, called [[padayatra]], ideally barefoot as a from of [[Tapas (Indian religions)\|tapasya]] in which he/she should travel without umbrellas, vehicles etc., to get the benefit of the Yatra. Though, many yatris do not follow these [[niyama]]s.

	In present times, yatras are highly organized affairs, with specialized [[tourism]] companies catering to the need of yatris. [[States and territories of India\|State]] governments are sometimes involved in the organization of annual yatras, stipulating numbers, registering yatris, and regulating yatri traffic.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://kashmirdivision.nic.in/about/services/amryatra.htm\|title=Amarnath Yatra\|publisher=Office of Divisional Commissioner, [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)\|Jammu and Kashmir]] Government\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019102903/http://kashmirdivision.nic.in/about/services/amryatra.htm\|archive-date=2007-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite book\|chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=tG0fnF0VRk0C&q=yatra+%22state+government%22&pg=PA94\| title=Social, Cultural and Economic History of Himachal Pradesh\|chapter=Holy ''Chhari'' or Manimahesh Yatra\|last=Singh Ahluwalia\|first=Manjit\| year=1998\|publisher=Indus Publishing\|isbn=81-7387-089-6}}</ref> The Hindu sacred month of ''[[Shravan]]'' is also the time of the annual [[Kanwar Yatra]], the annual pilgrimage of devotees of [[Shiva]], known as ''Kanwaria'' make to Hindu pilgrimage places of [[Haridwar]], [[Gaumukh]] and [[Gangotri]] in [[Uttarakhand]] to fetch holy waters of [[Ganges River]], way back in 2003, 55 lakh pilgrims reach Haridwar.<ref name="fr">{{cite web\|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2117/stories/20040827000206600.htm\|title=SPOTLIGHT: The long walk for worship\|volume=21\|issue=17\|date=August 14–27, 2004\|publisher=[[Frontline (magazine)\|Frontline]], ([[The Hindu]])\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806091502/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2117/stories/20040827000206600.htm\|archive-date=2010-08-06}}</ref> Other important [[Tirtha (Hinduism)\|Tirtha]] pilgrimages are [[Char Dham]] Yatra, which involves [[Badrinath]], [[Kedarnath]], [[Gangotri]], and [[Yamunotri]]; [[Amarnath yatra]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)\|Jammu and Kashmir]].		In present times, yatras are highly organized affairs, with specialized [[tourism]] companies catering to the need of yatris. [[States and territories of India\|State]] governments are sometimes involved in the organization of annual yatras, stipulating numbers, registering yatris, and regulating yatri traffic.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://kashmirdivision.nic.in/about/services/amryatra.htm\|title=Amarnath Yatra\|publisher=Office of Divisional Commissioner, [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)\|Jammu and Kashmir]] Government\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019102903/http://kashmirdivision.nic.in/about/services/amryatra.htm\|archive-date=2007-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite book\|chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=tG0fnF0VRk0C&q=yatra+%22state+government%22&pg=PA94\| title=Social, Cultural and Economic History of Himachal Pradesh\|chapter=Holy ''Chhari'' or Manimahesh Yatra\|last=Singh Ahluwalia\|first=Manjit\| year=1998\|publisher=Indus Publishing\|isbn=81-7387-089-6}}</ref> The Hindu sacred month of ''[[Shravan]]'' is also the time of the annual [[Kanwar Yatra]], the annual pilgrimage of devotees of [[Shiva]], known as ''Kanwaria'' make to Hindu pilgrimage places of [[Haridwar]], [[Gaumukh]] and [[Gangotri]] in [[Uttarakhand]] to fetch holy waters of [[Ganges River]], way back in 2003, 55 lakh pilgrims reach Haridwar.<ref name="fr">{{cite web\|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2117/stories/20040827000206600.htm\|title=SPOTLIGHT: The long walk for worship\|volume=21\|issue=17\|date=August 14–27, 2004\|publisher=[[Frontline (magazine)\|Frontline]], ([[The Hindu]])\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806091502/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2117/stories/20040827000206600.htm\|archive-date=2010-08-06}}</ref> Other important [[Tirtha (Hinduism)\|Tirtha]] pilgrimages are [[Char Dham]] Yatra, which involves [[Badrinath]], [[Kedarnath]], [[Gangotri]], and [[Yamunotri]]; [[Amarnath yatra]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)\|Jammu and Kashmir]].
Line 15:		Line 15:
	==Types of yatras ==		==Types of yatras ==

	In order of importance, in India there are 7 [[Sapta Puri]] holy cities, 4 Dhams ([[Char Dham]]) and 12 [[Jyotirlinga\|Jyotirlings]] devoted to the Lord [[Shiva]], 51 [[Shakti Pitha]]s devoted to the feminine manifestation of the god, and the important Lord [[Rama]] circuit ([[Ayodhya]], [[Chitrakoot,~~_Madhya_Pradesh~~#~~Places_of_tourist_importance~~\|Chitrakoot]], [[Hampi]] and [[Rameswaram]]) and Lord Krishna circuit ([[Vraja Parikrama\|Braj]]. [[48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra\| Kurukshetra]] and [[Dwarka]]).		In order of importance, in India there are 7 [[Sapta Puri]] holy cities, 4 Dhams ([[Char Dham]]) and 12 [[Jyotirlinga\|Jyotirlings]] devoted to the Lord [[Shiva]], 51 [[Shakti Pitha]]s devoted to the feminine manifestation of the god, and the important Lord [[Rama]] circuit ([[Ayodhya]], [[Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh#Places of tourist importance\|Chitrakoot]], [[Hampi]] and [[Rameswaram]]) and Lord Krishna circuit ([[Vraja Parikrama\|Braj]]. [[48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra\|Kurukshetra]] and [[Dwarka]]).

	'''Holiest cities:''' [[Sapta Puri]] are [[Ayodhya]], [[Mathura]], [[Haridwar]], [[Varanasi]], [[Kanchipuram]], [[Ujjain]] and [[Dwarka]]. [[Kurukshetra]], includes [[Jyotisar]] where [[Bhagavad Gita]] was revealed, is another holiest city.		'''Holiest cities:''' [[Sapta Puri]] are [[Ayodhya]], [[Mathura]], [[Haridwar]], [[Varanasi]], [[Kanchipuram]], [[Ujjain]] and [[Dwarka]]. [[Kurukshetra]], includes [[Jyotisar]] where [[Bhagavad Gita]] was revealed, is another holiest city.

	'''Holy rivers:''' The [[ghat]]s of holiest rivers are sacred, including [[Ganges]], [[Yamuna]], [{Sarasvati River]] ([[Ghaggar-Hakra River\|Ghaggar River]]), [[Narmada]], etc.		'''Holy rivers:''' The [[ghat]]s of holiest rivers are sacred, including [[Ganges]], [[Yamuna]], [[Sarasvati River]] ([[Ghaggar-Hakra River\|Ghaggar River]]), [[Narmada]], etc.

	'''Holy mountains:''' such as [[Mount Kailash]], [[Badrinath]], [[Kedarnath]], [[Gangotri]], and [[Yamunotri]], [[Bandarpunch\|Sarasvatotri]], etc.		'''Holy mountains:''' such as [[Mount Kailash]], [[Badrinath]], [[Kedarnath]], [[Gangotri]], and [[Yamunotri]], [[Bandarpunch\|Sarasvatotri]], etc.
Line 27:		Line 27:
	* Sacred river circuit: Yatra to and [[parikrama]] of sacred rivers include [[Ganges]], [[Yamuna]], [[Sarasvati]], [[Narmada River\|Narmada]], etc.		* Sacred river circuit: Yatra to and [[parikrama]] of sacred rivers include [[Ganges]], [[Yamuna]], [[Sarasvati]], [[Narmada River\|Narmada]], etc.

	'''Holy Fairs and [[List of Hindu festivals\|Hindu festivals]]:''' The [[Kumbh Mela]] (the "pitcher festival") is one of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimages that is held four times every twelve years; the location is rotated among the four cities of [[Prayagraj]], [[Haridwar]], [[Nashik]], and [[Ujjain]]. The [[Mahamaham]] in temple town of [[Kumbakonam]] is also celebrated once in 12 years. Annual [[Gita Mahotsav]] at [[Kurukshetra]], [[~~Baidyanath_Temple~~#~~Shravan_Mela_and_yatra~~\|Shravani Mela]] at [[Deoghar]], and [[~~Pitru_Paksha~~#~~When_and_where~~\|Pitrapaksha Mela]] at [[Gaya, India\|Gaya]] are also notable holy fairs.		'''Holy Fairs and [[List of Hindu festivals\|Hindu festivals]]:''' The [[Kumbh Mela]] (the "pitcher festival") is one of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimages that is held four times every twelve years; the location is rotated among the four cities of [[Prayagraj]], [[Haridwar]], [[Nashik]], and [[Ujjain]]. The [[Mahamaham]] in temple town of [[Kumbakonam]] is also celebrated once in 12 years. Annual [[Gita Mahotsav]] at [[Kurukshetra]], [[Baidyanath Temple#Shravan Mela and yatra\|Shravani Mela]] at [[Deoghar]], and [[Pitru Paksha#When and where\|Pitrapaksha Mela]] at [[Gaya, India\|Gaya]] are also notable holy fairs.

	'''Holy Temples:''' Examples are the [[Char Dham]] of [[Rameswaram]], [[Dwarka]], [[Puri]] and [[Badrinath]]; [[Katra, Jammu and Kashmir\|Katra]], home to the [[Vaishno Devi]] temple; [[Puri]] home to [[Vaishnavism\|Vaishnava]] [[Jagannath]] temple and [[Rath Yatra]] celebration; [[Tirumala - Tirupati]], home to the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]]; [[Sabarimala]] home to [[Ayyappan\|Swami Ayyappan]]; the 108 '''[[Divya Desam]]s'''; the '''[[Shakti Peethas]]'''; the twelve '''[[Jyotirlingas\|Maha Jyotirlingas]]'''; the seven [[Sapta Puri]]; the [[Pancha Bhoota Stalam]].		'''Holy Temples:''' Examples are the [[Char Dham]] of [[Rameswaram]], [[Dwarka]], [[Puri]] and [[Badrinath]]; [[Katra, Jammu and Kashmir\|Katra]], home to the [[Vaishno Devi]] temple; [[Puri]] home to [[Vaishnavism\|Vaishnava]] [[Jagannath]] temple and [[Rath Yatra]] celebration; [[Tirumala - Tirupati]], home to the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]]; [[Sabarimala]] home to [[Ayyappan\|Swami Ayyappan]]; the 108 '''[[Divya Desam]]s'''; the '''[[Shakti Peethas]]'''; the twelve '''[[Jyotirlingas\|Maha Jyotirlingas]]'''; the seven [[Sapta Puri]]; the [[Pancha Bhoota Stalam]].
Line 50:		Line 50:
	* [[Krishna]] circuit: <br>This prikarma entails the [[Vraja Parikrama]], [[48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra]], [[Dwarka]], [[Bhalka]] (place of death of Lord Krishna).		* [[Krishna]] circuit: <br>This prikarma entails the [[Vraja Parikrama]], [[48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra]], [[Dwarka]], [[Bhalka]] (place of death of Lord Krishna).

	* [[Rama]] circuit: <br>This prikarma entails [[Ayodhya]], [[Chitrakoot,~~_Madhya_Pradesh~~#~~Places_of_tourist_importance~~\|Chitrakoot]], [[Hampi]] and [[Rameswaram]].		* [[Rama]] circuit: <br>This prikarma entails [[Ayodhya]], [[Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh#Places of tourist importance\|Chitrakoot]], [[Hampi]] and [[Rameswaram]].

	* [[Sapta Puri]], 7 holiest Hindu cities in India viz. [[Ayodhya]], [[Mathura]], [[Haridwar]], [[Varanasi]], [[Kanchipuram]], [[Ujjain]], [[Dwarka]].		* [[Sapta Puri]], 7 holiest Hindu cities in India viz. [[Ayodhya]], [[Mathura]], [[Haridwar]], [[Varanasi]], [[Kanchipuram]], [[Ujjain]], [[Dwarka]].