Hindu Holy Places

Beliefs of Holy Places For Hindus, making a pilgrimage is an important way of showing devotion to God Pilgrims may join a procession and: –Perform acts of worship –Consult with priests –Read the scriptures –Give offerings of food and flowers at the holy place Many Hindu hold places have connection with water – believed to come from, and be a part of God Bathing symbolizes purity of heart a Hindu must have to appear before God

River Ganges River considered a goddess that brings life to land and people of India Goddess Ganga came to earth through the god Shiva’s hair to form river to cleanse world of sin

Varanasi Varanasi is a city on the Ganges said to be the home of Shiva Hindus believe bathing in the Ganges will wash away sins and they will be reborn to a better life Many Hindus hope to die there and spread ashes on Ganges to escape samsara (cysle of life, death and rebirth)

Prayag – Kumbh Mela festival Every 12 years millions share in ritual bathing at the Kumbh Mela festival at Prayag (where Ganges and Yamuna rovers meet) Prayag (place of sacrifice) is where Brahma offered first sacrifice after creating the world Legend is that drops of divine nectar fell there during a battle between gods and demons

Mathura Pilgrims visit Mathura because Krishna was born there and this is where Krishna eventually killed the evil King (story) Its main temple is the Keshava Deo Mandir, where Krishna and Radha are worshipped Many holy sites and temples (thousands) near by