India, Oct. 8 -- It is a common belief in Indian culture that pilgrimage, or tirtha, as it is called in Hindi, is a great religious endeavour and is essential for true devotees of God, and that it helps the soul in liberation from past sins. That is why, in India, many devout people undertake pilgrimages to holy places, hoping that the visit will fill them with inner power or cleanse them of their sins.

The very fact that people go on a pilgrimage shows that they have a desire to get some kind of religious experience from which they hope to benefit, either in terms of getting rid of their sins, finding more peace or having other wishes fulfilled. But rarely does it bring about a permanent change in their life or in their way of thinking ...