In India we find the oldest continually operating pilgrimage tradition in the entire world. The practice of pilgrimage in India is so deeply embedded in the cultural psyche and the number of pilgrimage sites is so large that the entire subcontinent may actually be regarded as one grand and continuous sacred space. Martin Gray spent the last 20 years visiting more than thousand sacred sites around the world and he guides us to some of the sacred sites of India.

Read more here: » Sacred Places: Sacred Sites, places and temples in India

See also:

Pilgrimage, Pilgrimage - Antiquity, Pilgrimage - Bahá'í Faith, Pilgrimage - Buddhism, Pilgrimage - Christianity, Pilgrimage - Hinduism, Pilgrimage - Islam, Pilgrimage - Hajj, Pilgrimage - Ziarah, Pilgrimage - Jainism, Pilgrimage - Judaism

Read more here: » Pilgrimage: Encyclopedia II - Pilgrimage - Islam

Gautama Buddha spoke of four holy sites that followers may seek. Lumbini birth place Sarnath (formally Isipathana) where he delivered his first teaching Bodh Gaya place of Enlightenment Kusinara (now Kusinagar, India) where he passed away Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimages include: Lhasa, capital of Tibet and traditional home of the Dalai Lama Mou ...

See also:

Pilgrimage, Pilgrimage - Antiquity, Pilgrimage - Bahá'í Faith, Pilgrimage - Buddhism, Pilgrimage - Christianity, Pilgrimage - Hinduism, Pilgrimage - Islam, Pilgrimage - Hajj, Pilgrimage - Ziarah, Pilgrimage - Jainism, Pilgrimage - Judaism

Read more here: » Pilgrimage: Encyclopedia II - Pilgrimage - Buddhism

India has probably the most enduring pilgrimage tradition in the world. The greater the challenge of the path, the stronger its allure.

There is no typical profile of a pilgrim in India - they come from as diverse a background as the country itself, whether from the upper, middle or poorer classes.

There is an interesting passage in Frank Elias's The Gorgeous East published in 1913: "One of the strangest sights in India is that of the ascetics who make pilgrimages from one part of the country to another.

(See also: Pilgrimage in India, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Ziarah is an Islamic grave visiting tradition common throughout the countries where holy and sacred graves attract pilgrimage and calendrically appropriate visits. Some writers and schools admonish pilgrims that there is no need for pilgrimage, and that there is no need to carry out such activity. In countries and regions where it is condoned and practised with fervour, the numbers of people on ziarah at relevant times of the calendar are extensive. Usually an annual event at the grave of a ...

Read more here: » Ziarah: Encyclopedia - Ziarah

Martin Gray is an anthropologist and photographer. His work over twenty years specializing in the sacred sites and pilgrimage traditions were the result of visits to over a thousand sites in eighty countries. Other related archivesanthropologist, photographer

Read more here: » Martin Gray: Encyclopedia - Martin Gray

The Masjid al Haram (Arabic: المسجد الحرام) is a mosque in the city of Mecca. It is considered by Muslims to be the holiest place on Earth and is the focal point of the hajj (pilgrimage; one of the Five Pillars of Islam; required of all able-bodied Muslims who can afford the trip). According to Islamic tradition, the mosque was built by Ibrahim (Abraham) with the help of his son Ishmael. They were ordered by Allah to build the mosque, and the Kaaba contained therein is sup ...

Read more here: » Masjid al Haram: Encyclopedia - Masjid al Haram

Prasãd (Hindi) or prasãda (Sanskrit)or Prasadam is both a mental condition of generosity, as well as a material substance that is first offered to a deity and then consumed with the faith that the deity's blessing resides within it. In contemporary Hindu religious practice in India, the desire to get prasada and have darshan (cross referenced) are the two major motivations of pilgrimage and temple visits. As a mental condition, prasãda has a rich history of meanings in the Sanskrit tradition from Vedic l ...

Read more here: » Prasad: Encyclopedia - Prasad

Brazil's main religion since the 16th century has been Christianity, predominantly Roman Catholicism. This religion was introduced by the missionaries who accompanied the Portuguese explorers and settlers of Brazil. Brazil has the largest number of baptized Roman Catholics on Earth — about 80% of Brazilians claiming to be Catholics. However, about 20% of the population of Brazil actually attends Mass on a regular basis. Popular traditions of Roman Catholicism in Brazil include pilgrimages to the Appeared Lady, Senhora Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil. Other prominent festivals include Cà ...

Including:

• Religion in Brazil - African Religions
• Religion in Brazil - Other Religions

Read more here: » Religion in Brazil: Encyclopedia - Religion in Brazil

Islam History of Islam Oneness of God Profession of Faith Prayer • Fasting Pilgrimage • Charity Muhammad Ali • Abu Bakr Companions of Muhammad Household of Muhammad Prophets of Islam Qur'an • Hadith • Sharia Jurisprudence Biographies of Muhammad Sunni • Shi'a • Sufi Art • Architecture Cities • Calendar Science • Philosophy Religious leaders Women in Islam Politi ...

Including:

• Sufism - Etymology
• Sufism - History of Sufism
• Sufism - Origins
• Sufism - The great Masters of Sufism
• Sufism - Formalisation of Philosophies of Sufism
• Sufism - Propagation of Sufism
• Sufism - Modern Sufism
• Sufism - Influences
• Sufism - Basic beliefs
• Sufism - Sufi Concepts
• Sufism - Lataif-e-sitta The Six Subtleties
• Sufism - Sufi cosmology
• Sufism - Sufi practices
• Sufism - Muraqaba
• Sufism - Dhikr
• Sufism - Qawwali
• Sufism - Sama
• Sufism - Orders of Sufism
• Sufism - Traditional orders
• Sufism - Non-Traditional Sufi Groups
• Sufism - Traditional Islamic schools of thought and Sufism
• Sufism - Sources

Read more here: » Sufism: Encyclopedia - Sufism

Islam History of Islam Oneness of God Profession of Faith Prayer • Fasting Pilgrimage • Charity Muhammad Ali • Abu Bakr Companions of Muhammad Household of Muhammad Prophets of Islam Qur'an • Hadith • Sharia Jurisprudence Biographies of Muhammad Sunni • Shi'a • Sufi Art • Architecture Cities • Calendar Science • Philosophy Religious leaders Women in Islam P ...

Including:

• Sunni Islam - Demographics
• Sunni Islam - Sunni schools of law Madhab
• Sunni Islam - Sunni theological traditions kalam
• Sunni Islam - Subsects within Sunni Islam
• Sunni Islam - Sunni view of hadith
• Sunni Islam - Current trends in Sunni thought and practice
• Sunni Islam - See Also

Read more here: » Sunni Islam: Encyclopedia - Sunni Islam

Islam History of Islam Oneness of God Profession of Faith Prayer • Fasting Pilgrimage • Charity Muhammad Ali • Abu Bakr Companions of Muhammad Household of Muhammad Prophets of Islam Qur'an • Hadith • Sharia Jurisprudence Biographies of Muhammad Sunni • Shi'a • Sufi Art • Architecture Cities • Calendar Science • Philosophy Religious leaders Women in Islam P ...

Including:

• Shi'a Islam - Etymology
• Shi'a Islam - Introduction
• Shi'a Islam - Demographics of Shi'a Islam
• Shi'a Islam - Shi'a doctrines
• Shi'a Islam - Main Shi'a doctrines
• Shi'a Islam - Additional doctrines
• Shi'a Islam - The Shi'a denominations
• Shi'a Islam - Status of a Shi'a Imam
• Shi'a Islam - The role of religious scholars
• Shi'a Islam - Shi'a and Sunni traditions
• Shi'a Islam - Collections of Hadiths from Shi'a sources include
• Shi'a Islam - Shi'a Hadith
• Shi'a Islam - Religious calendar
• Shi'a Islam - History of the Shi'a
• Shi'a Islam - Historical Shi'a-Sunni relations
• Shi'a Islam - Major centers of Shi'a scholarship
• Shi'a Islam - Shi'a texts

Read more here: » Shi'a Islam: Encyclopedia - Shi'a Islam

Islam History of Islam Oneness of God Profession of Faith Prayer • Fasting Pilgrimage • Charity Muhammad Ali • Abu Bakr Companions of Muhammad Household of Muhammad Prophets of Islam Qur'an • Hadith • Sharia Jurisprudence Biographies of Muhammad Sunni • Shi'a • Sufi Art • Architecture Cities • Calendar Science • Philosophy Religious leaders Women in Islam Political Islam • Jihad Liberal Islam Vo ...

Including:

• Eid ul-Fitr - History
• Eid ul-Fitr - Timing
• Eid ul-Fitr - Traditions and Practices
• Eid ul-Fitr - Eid ul-Fitr in Indonesia
• Eid ul-Fitr - Eid ul-Fitr in the USA and Canada
• Eid ul-Fitr - Eid ul-Fitr in Malaysia and Singapore
• Eid ul-Fitr - Eid ul-Fitr in India Pakistan and Bangladesh
• Eid ul-Fitr - Eid ul-Fitr in Iran
• Eid ul-Fitr - Eid ul-Fitr in the Gregorian Calendar

Read more here: » Eid ul-Fitr: Encyclopedia - Eid ul-Fitr

Mount Kailash - In Hinduism. Kailasa is believed to be the home of Lord Shiva by Hindus, and is a pilgrimage site. The ancient Aryans referred to Mount Kailas as Meru. They believed that at its peak was the paradisiacal city of Indra, the Vedic god of storms. The path to the city of Indra was the pathway of the stars, where dead souls stood among trees blossoming with flowers, awaiting rebirth. Some of the religious traditions of the anc ...

See also:

Mount Kailash, Mount Kailash - Name, Mount Kailash - Religious significance, Mount Kailash - In Hinduism, Mount Kailash - In Buddhism, Mount Kailash - Pilgrimage

Read more here: » Mount Kailash: Encyclopedia II - Mount Kailash - Religious significance

Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailas, following a tradition going back hundreds of years. Pilgrims of several religions all believe that circumambulating Mount Kailas on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The route is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists. Followers of the Jain and Bönpo religions circumambulate the mountain in a counterclockwise direction. The path around Mo ...

See also:

Mount Kailash, Mount Kailash - Name, Mount Kailash - Religious significance, Mount Kailash - In Hinduism, Mount Kailash - In Buddhism, Mount Kailash - Pilgrimage

Read more here: » Mount Kailash: Encyclopedia II - Mount Kailash - Pilgrimage

Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailasa, following a tradition going back hundreds of years. Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mount Kailasa on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The peregrination is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists. Followers of the Jain and Bönpo religions circumambulate the mountain in a counterclockwise direction. The path ar ...

See also:

Mount Kailash, Mount Kailash - Names, Mount Kailash - Religious significance, Mount Kailash - In Hinduism, Mount Kailash - In Buddhism, Mount Kailash - Pilgrimage

Read more here: » Mount Kailash: Encyclopedia II - Mount Kailash - Pilgrimage

Major article: Helier. Saint Helier is named for Helier (or Helerius), a 6th century ascetic hermit. The traditional date of his martyrdom is 555 AD. His feast day, marked by an annual municipal and ecumenical pilgrimage to the Hermitage, is on July 16. ...

See also:

Saint Helier, Saint Helier - History, Saint Helier - Subdivisions, Saint Helier - Politics, Saint Helier - Saint, Saint Helier - Reference

Read more here: » Saint Helier: Encyclopedia II - Saint Helier - Saint

There is an interesting belief about Prophet Zoroaster among Yazidis. They say that Zoroaster was a Yezidi who left them. When he returned they did not accept his religion. It is evident from Iranian history that Zoroaster came from the people who lived around Lake Urmia. He remained on Mt. Ararat for two years and then returned to his people as a prophet preaching a new religion. He spent ten years recruiting converts among the people around Urmia, but his efforts drew only one person to his beliefs. Finally, he went to the Persians, ...

See also:

Yazidi, Yazidi - Origins, Yazidi - Religious Beliefs, Yazidi - Yazidism and Zoroastrianism, Yazidi - Organization, Yazidi - Religious Practices, Yazidi - Prayers, Yazidi - Pilgrimage, Yazidi - Festivals, Yazidi - Purity and Taboos, Yazidi - Customs, Yazidi - Myths, Yazidi - Recent History, Yazidi - Views of outsiders fiction and stereotypes, Yazidi - Academic texts about Yazidis

Read more here: » Yazidi: Encyclopedia II - Yazidi - Yazidism and Zoroastrianism

Yazidi - Prayers. Yazidis have five daily prayers: Nivêja berîspêdê (Dawn Prayer), Nivêja rojhelatinê (Sunrise Prayer), Nivêja nîvro (Noon Prayer), Nivêja êvarî (Afternoon Prayer), Nivêja rojavabûnê (Sunset Prayer) [5]. The worshipers should turn their face toward the sun, and for the noon prayer, they should face toward Lalish. Such prayer should be accompanied by certain gestures, including kissing the rounded neck (gerîvan) of the sacred shirt (See also:

Yazidi, Yazidi - Origins, Yazidi - Religious Beliefs, Yazidi - Yazidism and Zoroastrianism, Yazidi - Organization, Yazidi - Religious Practices, Yazidi - Prayers, Yazidi - Pilgrimage, Yazidi - Festivals, Yazidi - Purity and Taboos, Yazidi - Customs, Yazidi - Myths, Yazidi - Recent History, Yazidi - Views of outsiders fiction and stereotypes, Yazidi - Academic texts about Yazidis

Read more here: » Yazidi: Encyclopedia II - Yazidi - Religious Practices

As the Yazidi hold religious beliefs that are mostly unfamiliar to outsiders, many non-Yazidi people have written about them and ascribed facts to their beliefs that have dubious historical validity. For example, horror writer H. P. Lovecraft made a reference to "... the Yezidi clan of devil-worshippers" in his short story "The Horror at Red Hook". The Yazidis have also been claimed as an influence on Aleister Crowley's Thelema. More notably, Anton Lavey drew upon the Yazidis for his own philosophy, LaVeyan Satanism, (e.g. The Law of the Tra ...

See also:

Yazidi, Yazidi - Origins, Yazidi - Religious Beliefs, Yazidi - Yazidism and Zoroastrianism, Yazidi - Organization, Yazidi - Religious Practices, Yazidi - Prayers, Yazidi - Pilgrimage, Yazidi - Festivals, Yazidi - Purity and Taboos, Yazidi - Customs, Yazidi - Myths, Yazidi - Recent History, Yazidi - Views of outsiders fiction and stereotypes, Yazidi - Academic texts about Yazidis

Read more here: » Yazidi: Encyclopedia II - Yazidi - Views of outsiders fiction and stereotypes