In ancient times when people thought they were ready to learn about God, they set out on a pilgrimage. The journey was difficult but it would be unique experiment in interacting with people and situations.

 In ancient times when people thought they were ready to learn about God, they set out on a pilgrimage. The journey was difficult but it would be unique experiment in interacting with people and situations. They went to place that was specially blessed by nature. There would be others like them in similar search of God, or to give life a new perspective. There were occasions to exchange knowledge and learn from each other. With time place of pilgrimage have not lost their character. Only now they are more crowed and commercialised. People visit every year but not all are in search of God or to find a new meaning of life.
🕉 Scriptures say "A pilgrimage is a place where one can learn to float or cross over the vast river of life." One can learn to swim in the vast river of life through noble thoughts and deeds and in the company of good people. Pilgrimages are places where one finds strong magnetic vibrations emerging from gods and goddesses, from the beauty of natural surroundings, from hills and rivers that exert a special influence, from the presence of saints and ascetics who preach the glory of supreme spirit. The religious texts are full of glories and benefits of going on a pilgrimage. Large parts of Shiva Purana, Padama Purana and Skanda Purana are devoted to the benefits of pilgrimage. Even in Vedas, and Mahabharata it's written that by going on a pilgrimage one gets rid of sins, accumulates virtues, finds favours with god, achieves inner peace and finds fulfilment in everyday life and steps towards heaven. 
🕉 In Mahabharata it is said that through a pilgrimage one can conveniently attain the benefits that cant be easily attained even through the special Agnistome Yagya. However those who travel for fun and are devoid of devotion can't attain these benefits. A pilgrimage should have two objectives, cleansing of the mind and welfare of the self. Only those who have this objective really benefit. 
🕉 In Mahabharata it's said, whoever bathes in the holy pilgrimages of Pushkar, Kurukshetra, Ganga and Magadh benefits seven generations each of forefathers and successors. 
🕉 In Devi Bhagwat it's said, just as the purpose of agriculture is to produce grain, the purpose of the pilgrimage is to become sinless. In Atharva Veda it is said that the pilgrims get over sins and shortcomings through pilgrimages and advance towards a pure wholesome life. It's also said the benefits that accrue are in direct proportion to the devotion of the pilgrim. 
🕉 In Bhavishyapuran it is said, when the hands, legs, mind, and speech are in balance and the person is knowledgable, reputed and devoted, one benefits from a pilgrimage. One who is not devoted, is a sinner, is suspicious, or a sophist and unbeliever, these five kinds never benefit form a pilgrimage. 
In the Narad Purana it's said, whoever controls passion, anger and greed when on a pilgrimage achieves everything from it. 
🕉 In Skanda Purana it's also said that speaking the truth is a pilgrimage. Forgiveness is a pilgrimage that bears fruits. Control over the senses is as beneficial as pilgrimage. Kindness to all people is as virtuous as pilgrimage. A Simple life too is a pilgrimage. Amongst all pilgrimages the most outstanding one is purification of mind.
🕉 In Padma Purana it's said that during pilgrimage one comes across saints and ascetics who are specially blessed by God. Meeting them can help destroy sins just as one would burn them with fire. 
Love, light & Peace ~ Boom Shankar!