There are many pilgrimage sites, which most Hindus will attempt to visit at some time or other during their lives. The most famous example is the River Ganga (anglicised Ganges), which literally millions will attempt to visit and bathe in each year.

The practice of travelling to pilgrimages was something I could never understand. Hindu philosophy proclaims the whole world to be divine. So why are certain places granted a special status and considered especially holy?

Furthermore, I could never find any basis for the practice of travelling to pilgrimage sites in Hindu scriptures such as the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. Therefore I came to the conclusion that pilgrimages were simply a cultural phenomenon that had arisen amongst Hindus over thousands of years, and had little value in true spirituality (bit like the caste system).

However, rather than look down upon the practices of other Hindus, I had to accept the fact that every Hindu has the right to relate to God and practice spirituality in their own way.

I thought I would ask and try and understand the reasons why so many Hindus are enthusiastic about their pilgrimages. As a result, and after many debates and discussions with practicing Hindus of all shades of opinion, I have come to a better understanding and appreciation of the role of pilgrimages, and am now prepared to give what I believe is a very reasonable answer as to why many Hindus hold some places to be especially holy.

The answer has to be given at two levels - for the believer and the non-believer. For the non-believer, let us ask the question: Why is the library associated with studiousness? Because, most of the people found there are busy studying. Similarly, the pilgrimage sites are holy, because most they are places that have traditionally being associated with practicing holy austerities. Hence, the Ganga is associated with holiness, just as a library is associated with studiousness.

Both the believer and the non-believer can probably appreciate this answer. The believer, however, goes a step further and believes that this association is so strong that some of the positive energy of the place can rub off on him/her, either literally or psychologically, by touching Ganges water, having it sprinkled on him/her, or bathing in it on its banks.