Pilgrims

Pilgrim is a traveler who undertakes a journey for religious or spiritual reasons, often to a sacred site. The word derives from the Latin peregrinus, via Old English, originally meaning a foreigner or traveler and later applied to those on holy journeys.

Pilgrimage has appeared in many religions and cultures. In Christianity, notable pilgrimages have traveled to Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela. In Islam, the pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj, is one of the Five Pillars of the faith. Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh traditions also emphasize sacred journeys to places such as Varanasi, Bodh Gaya, Amritsar, and other temples, shrines, and rivers. Pilgrims often seek spiritual merit, healing, or a closer connection with the divine, and may undertake vows, penance, or acts of devotion along the way.

Practices associated with pilgrimage vary by tradition but commonly include specific rituals, prayers, processions, and the carrying of symbolic objects or relics. Journeys may be undertaken on foot or by other means, along established routes or circuits that have grown in cultural and historical significance, sometimes becoming formal pilgrimage networks.

In the modern era, pilgrimage continues as a durable practice across religions, supported by dedicated infrastructure, organized groups, and cultural heritage recognition. While motivations can be deeply religious, pilgrimages are also understood as journeys that foster personal reflection, community bonding, and interfaith or intercultural exchange.