SPRITUAL TOURISM - Part Two
SPRITUAL TOURISM - Part Two
Dr. Gour Kanjilal
[ Author And Former Tourism Representative Govt Of India ]
The foremost quality expected of a devotee is forbearance. The essence of spiritual tourism is inner feelings through love. Love should not be rationed on the basis of caste, creed, economic status, or intellectual attainment of the recipient. It should flow full and free regardless of consequences. Religions have come into existence for the purpose of regulating human life; what is common to all of them is the principle of love.
Thus, through religious tourism, there is a sincere effort to bring better understanding among various communities and nations and thus foster global unity. Some of the religious events have seen a rush of tourists. Exposition of the body of St. Xavier in Goa has seen pilgrims from the Catholic world moving to Goa. For non-resident Indians, pilgrimage places like Shirdi Sai Baba Darshan, Prashanti Nilayam in Puttaparthi, Vaishno Devi Yatra, Tirupati Balaji Darshan, pilgrimage to Himalayan temples in the Garhwal Hills or Himachal Hills have big attractions, and they move in millions for peace of mind.
State governments concerned, charitable trusts, and temple trusts have made elaborate arrangements for pilgrims for accommodation, transport, and ritual ceremonies, and millions of rupees have been invested by these organizations for running hospitals, educational institutions, ashrams, and meditation centres, which have benefited the local community.
Over 200 million (approximately) domestic tourists criss-cross India for pilgrimage purposes only. Facilities provided for pilgrims are also often used by overseas tourists. All these temples have codes of conduct and even dress codes. Osho's Ashram in Pune has a maximum congregation of overseas tourists who visit India for peace of mind.
Dr Gour Kanjilal
[ Author And Former Tourism Representative Govt Of India ]
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