Tirtha and Dhama
Tirtha
Holy place, or place of pilgrimage, is called tirtha ("ford") because there one can cross the the stream of samsara (cycle of birth and death in this material world) and reach the spiritual dimension. Even a simple stay in such place has a purifying effect which can be increased by following specific spiritual practices. To die there or even on one's way there assures one a great spiritual benefit up to the liberation from the material world. Thus pilgrimage continues to be an important part of life of people in India. In the West the pilgrimage was recently replaced by tourism.
The holy places are described in the scriptures in detail with their spiritual characteristics. They are usually rivers (Ganges, Yamuna), lakes (Puskara, Radhakunda), mountains (Abu, Sri Saila), forests (Dandakaranya, Naimisaranya), cities (Varanasi, Ayodhya), and places of appearance, life and disappearance of Lord's avataras, demigods or important spiritual personalities. There are many tirthas in India and neighboring countries visited yearly by millions of pilgrims. In the places like Ahovalam, Alalanatha, Bhuvanesvara, Gaya, Guruvayur, Jiyada-nrsimha, Kurma-sthana, Kuruksetra, Tirupati etc. exist important temples and facilities for pilgrims. Holy places in another countries connected with other spiritual traditions (Jerusalem, Mecca, etc.) can be also called tirthas having the same nature.
Dhama
Dhama ("abode of the Lord") is another type of holy place, more important than tirtha. It designates an area where the Lord's spiritual abode is manifested in the material world. The scriptures mention four dhamas - Badarikasrama (Badrinatha) in Himalayas, Jagannatha Puri (Purusottama-ksetra), Ramesvaram and Dvaraka. As even higher are celebrated Vraja-dhama (Vrndavana, Mathura) and Mayapura-dhama (Navadvipa). The glories of the dhamas are collected in the scriptures called mahatmyas (Mathura-mahatmya, Dvaraka-mahatmya, Navadvipa-mahatmya).
Holy place, or place of pilgrimage, is called tirtha ("ford") because there one can cross the the stream of samsara (cycle of birth and death in this material world) and reach the spiritual dimension. Even a simple stay in such place has a purifying effect which can be increased by following specific spiritual practices. To die there or even on one's way there assures one a great spiritual benefit up to the liberation from the material world. Thus pilgrimage continues to be an important part of life of people in India. In the West the pilgrimage was recently replaced by tourism.
The holy places are described in the scriptures in detail with their spiritual characteristics. They are usually rivers (Ganges, Yamuna), lakes (Puskara, Radhakunda), mountains (Abu, Sri Saila), forests (Dandakaranya, Naimisaranya), cities (Varanasi, Ayodhya), and places of appearance, life and disappearance of Lord's avataras, demigods or important spiritual personalities. There are many tirthas in India and neighboring countries visited yearly by millions of pilgrims. In the places like Ahovalam, Alalanatha, Bhuvanesvara, Gaya, Guruvayur, Jiyada-nrsimha, Kurma-sthana, Kuruksetra, Tirupati etc. exist important temples and facilities for pilgrims. Holy places in another countries connected with other spiritual traditions (Jerusalem, Mecca, etc.) can be also called tirthas having the same nature.
Dhama
Dhama ("abode of the Lord") is another type of holy place, more important than tirtha. It designates an area where the Lord's spiritual abode is manifested in the material world. The scriptures mention four dhamas - Badarikasrama (Badrinatha) in Himalayas, Jagannatha Puri (Purusottama-ksetra), Ramesvaram and Dvaraka. As even higher are celebrated Vraja-dhama (Vrndavana, Mathura) and Mayapura-dhama (Navadvipa). The glories of the dhamas are collected in the scriptures called mahatmyas (Mathura-mahatmya, Dvaraka-mahatmya, Navadvipa-mahatmya).
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