Hinduism For All - Rules to be followed in Kshetras & Teerthas

Hinduism For All

Rules to be followed in Kshetras & Teerthas

In the course of pilgrimage, the devotee should constantly be aware of the significance and of certain specialties associated with each Teertha. Before undertaking the pilgrimage, it is advisable that the devotee consults the elders and learned people and becomes fully familiar with the procedure.

For instance, the Kaashi Yaatra (Pilgrimage to Kaashi) should commence with a trip to Raameshvara. In Raameshvara, the devotee should collect two bags of holy sand from a place called Dhanushkoti. The first of the bags should be immersed in Prayaag. Veni Maadhava the presiding deity of the temple in Prayaag should be then worshipped. He should collect the Ganga water from Prayaag. The second bag of sand should be offered at the Bindu Maadhava shrine in Kaashi. In Kaashi too, he should bathe at least in the five important Ghats (the bathing spots on the bank of Ganga) before having Darshan of Lord Kaashi Vishvanaatha (Lord Shiva known in Benaaras). On the last day, he should worship the different deities in Kaashi such as Gouli Maa, Dandapaani and Kaala Bhairava and seek their permission to leave.

After leaving Kaashi, a devotee should return back to Raameshvara and perform Abhisheka to Lord Raameshvara with the Ganga water collected in Prayaag.

After completing this entire circle, the devotee should worship one’s family deity and feed the learned people etc. This is called Kaashi - Raameshvara Samaaraadhana. This would complete the Yaatra.

While in Teertha, one should avoid using soaps and detergents, and bathe after mentally saluting the holy river. A Sankalpa (mental resolution for attaining merits from the act) before taking ceremonial bath is recommended. A devotee in case is unable to take a bath owing to ill health, should atleast sprinkle the water on his head and mentally pray.

Similarly, procedure for other teertha yaatras should be learned, to get full benefit of the pilgrimage. The devotee should always keep in mind the difference between enjoying in a holiday resort and a Kshetra darshan and thereby lead a disciplined life during the course of the Yaatra.

Rivers

Rivers have been the cradle of human civilizations, world-over. The special place accorded to rivers even from Vedic period is hence justifiable. The famous hymn – ‘imam me gange yamune stutadri....’ lists out the popular rivers held sacred during the Vedic age. It is a practice to chant the names of these holy rivers at the time of daily bath, so as to acquire a part of merit one would acquire, in actually bathing in them.

Of all these here, Ganga is considered to be ‘The River’ whose waters help not only in prosperous life but also grants the dying person a life in heaven. Being associated with all the trinities i.e. born from the water-pot of Brahma, used for washing the feet of Vishnu and being held in tresses of Lord
Shiva, makes Ganga a highly renowned river. Many pilgrim spots are situated on the bank of Ganga. The Prayaaga, the confluence of the three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati which flows as an undercurrent is (Antarvahini) considered very holy. The Kumbha mela which is held once in twelve years in this place attracts crores of people for holy bath.

Apart from Ganga, the other rivers such as Kaaveri, Brahma sarovar Tungabhadra, Mahaanadi, Narmada, Sarayu, etc. too have many confluences and holy legends associated with them, renders them holy. Apart from these rivers, Maanasarovar in Himalayas, the Brahma Sarovar in Pushkar, the Brahma sarovar in Kurukshetra, the Mahaamagha tank in Kumbhakonam are a few of countless Teertha Kundas (Holy Water Tanks) spread across India which cleanse the sins of the devotees.

This article is a snippet from the Book Hinduism For All, Authored by TS Srinivasan and Edited By Dr Ramchandrashekar. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

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