What is pilgrimage tourism? Do you think this could be a model for promotion of cultural integration in India? (HPAS Mains Question Paper 2022 – GS 1, Q.13)
Pilgrimage tourism is defined as travel to a holy or sacred location having religious or spiritual value. The goal of pilgrimage tourism is to find spiritual satisfaction, reconnect with one’s faith or religion, and participate in religious ceremonies or customs. It is often seen as religious tourism and is popular among adherents of religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and others. Among the innumerable renowned pilgrimage destinations in India are the Char Dham Yatra, Kumbh Mela, Amarnath Yatra, and Vaishno Devi.
Some examples of famous pilgrimage tourism destinations in India are:
Char Dham Yatra: A pilgrimage to four sacred Hindu shrines in Uttarakhand – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
Kumbh Mela: A massive Hindu pilgrimage and festival held every 12 years, rotating among four locations – Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.
Amarnath Yatra: A Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, where an ice stalagmite is worshipped as a representation of Lord Shiva.
Vaishno Devi: A Hindu pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, where devotees trek through the hills to reach the temple of the goddess.
Golden Temple: A Sikh pilgrimage to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, considered the holiest site in Sikhism.
Bodh Gaya: A Buddhist pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya in Bihar, where Gautama Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
Haji Ali Dargah: A Muslim pilgrimage to the Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai, the tomb of a revered saint and a popular site for offering prayers and seeking blessings.
Some examples of famous pilgrimage tourism destinations in Himachal Pradesh:
Manikaran Sahib: In the Parvati Valley, there is a Sikh pilgrimage place known as Manikaran Sahib. Hot springs in the location are renowned for their purported therapeutic qualities. The langar, which offers free meals to all guests, is another highlight of the Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara.
Hidimba Devi Temple: The Hidimba Devi Temple is devoted to the Hindu deity Hidimba and is situated in Manali. The temple is surrounded by thick woods and snow-capped mountains, and it is constructed in the traditional Himachali style.
Rewalsar Lake: Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists revere Rewalsar Lake as a holy location. There are several temples and monasteries all around the lake, which is said to be the home of the sage Lomas.
The Chamunda Devi Temple is a shrine to the Hindu deity Chamunda and is situated in the Kangra Valley. The temple is perched on a hill and provides sweeping views of the valley below.
Pilgrimage tourism can play an essential role in promoting cultural integration in India by bringing people from different parts of the country together and providing a platform to interact, learn about each other’s cultures, and form new relationships. Here are some examples of how pilgrimage tourism can help to promote cultural integration in India:
Interactions between people from different regions: Pilgrimage sites attract devotees from all over the country, allowing people from various areas to meet and interact. This interaction can result in the exchange of ideas, beliefs, and practices, which can promote cultural understanding and appreciation.
For example, the annual Kumbh Mela, held in various cities throughout India, attracts millions of devotees from all over the country. People from multiple regions gather during the festival to dip in the holy river and participate in various cultural and religious events, promoting cultural integration.
Cultural heritage shared: India is a diverse country with a rich cultural heritage. Pilgrimages to temples, mosques, churches, and gurudwaras are all part of this heritage. People from various regions can learn about India’s shared cultural heritage and develop a sense of pride and unity by visiting these sites.
For example, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, draws devotees from all over the country, regardless of religious beliefs. The temple symbolises unity, where people from all walks of life come together to pray and eat langar (community meals), promoting cultural integration.
Local art and craft promotion: Pilgrimage sites are frequently located in rural areas where local artisans and craftsmen produce traditional handicrafts and artworks. Pilgrimage tourism can give these artisans a platform to showcase their work and promote their cultural heritage.
The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, for example, is a popular pilgrimage site that draws visitors from all over the world. The temple is famous for its intricate stone carvings and sculptures, which witness Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. Local artisans can showcase their work and cultural heritage by promoting tourism to such sites, thereby contributing to cultural integration.
Finally, pilgrimage tourism can help to promote cultural integration in India by bringing people from different regions together, promoting shared cultural heritage, and providing a platform for local artisans to showcase their work.
Scheme for promoting pilgrimage tourism in India:
Introduced in 2015, the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) is a government scheme focusing on identifying and developing pilgrim sites across the country to enrich the religious tourism experience. It was launched by the Union Ministry of Tourism. It aims at the integrated development of pilgrimage destinations in a planned, prioritised and sustainable manner to provide a complete religious tourism experience.
Objectives
- Harness pilgrimage tourism for its direct and multiplier effect on employment generation and economic development.
- Enhance tourist attractiveness sustainably by developing world-class infrastructure in the religious destinations.
- It also promotes local art, culture, handicrafts, cuisine, etc.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
- Swadesh Darshan is a flagship scheme of the Government of India’s Ministry of Tourism, which was launched in 2014. The project aims to create theme-based tourist circuits in India that will provide tourists with a comprehensive understanding of the country’s culture, heritage, and natural beauty. The scheme is part of the Ministry of Tourism’s larger umbrella scheme known as the Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits.
- The Swadesh Darshan scheme seeks to create theme-based tourist circuits in India. The plan is to build 15 theme-based circuits across India to promote the country’s unique and diverse cultural and natural heritage.
The following are some examples of Swadesh Darshan scheme theme-based circuits:
1. Buddhist Circuit: This circuit includes stops in India, such as Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Sarnath, Kushinagar, and Lumbini in Nepal.
2. The Char Dham Yatra: This yatra visits four crucial Hindu pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
3. The Jain Circuit includes essential pilgrimage sites like Palitana in Gujarat, Shravanabelagola in Karnataka, and Sonagiri in Madhya Pradesh.
4. The Sikh Circuit: This route includes important Sikh pilgrimage sites such as Amritsar’s Golden Temple, Hemkund Sahib, and Anandpur Sahib.
5. The Vaishno Devi Circuit: This circuit takes you to the well-known Hindu pilgrimage site of Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir.
6. The Krishna Circuit travels through Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, visiting essential pilgrimage sites associated with Lord Krishna.
Other circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
Coastal Circuit: This route takes in India’s scenic coastal regions, including Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Desert Circuit: This circuit includes Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaipur, as well as the desert regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana.
Eco Circuit: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are all included in this circuit.
Heritage Circuit: This circuit includes famous heritage sites in India, such as Agra’s Taj Mahal, Madhya Pradesh’s Khajuraho, and Karnataka’s Hampi ruins.
Himalayan Circuit: This circuit encompasses India’s Himalayan regions, including Ladakh, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh.
North-East Circuit: This circuit connects Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur, the seven sister states of North-East India.
Rural Circuit: This circuit travels through rural India, giving tourists a taste of the rural lifestyle, culture, and traditions.
Many governments and tourism boards have promoted pilgrimage tourism as a means of increasing tourism and promoting cultural and religious heritage. In India, for example, the government has launched the Swadesh Darshan scheme with the goal of developing pilgrimage circuits and other theme-based circuits to promote tourism and economic growth.
