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Tirth-Kshetras (the places of pilgrimage) are a distinguishing feature of our culture. The word Tirth means the sacred bathing spots found at the confluence of various holy rivers. By extension, the name has come to mean mountain retreats or other areas hallowed by the austerities and spiritual exercises practised by the great seers, and purified by their presence.
From a cultural point of view the sites of Indian pilgrimages are also a holy 'confluence' of different sects, religions, languages and traditions. Here you can see India's diversity, her brilliant colours, her pageantry and her intoxicating beauty. In ancient times these holy places were the vital centres of learning and religious debate. If you visit any of these pilgrimage sites today, you can catch a glimpse of the soul of India. That is why India is called Tirth-Bhumi, 'the land of pilgrimage'.
Many of the ancient places of pilgrimage are situated in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Both Buddhism and Jainism have strong roots in Bihar. It is the heartland of both these
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religions. In Bihar alone there are hundreds of places of pilgrimage. At one time these sites saw many scholarly discussions by great thinkers and seers. Their meditative zeal and
spiritual striving lit a flame which illuminated the entire nation. One could find a row of these ascetics, like jewels in a necklace, sitting strung out across the mountain tops in quiet introspection. What was uttered there reverberated around the world. Sadly that situation no longer exists. These once very lively places of pilgrimages
temples, holy peaks, banks of rivers and mediation groves - now wear a sorry air. They have become like shabby stopover places, like empty shells. Though their spiritual light has not been extinguished, it has considerably diminished. If we are not careful it will go out altogether and darkness will prevail. We have to re-establish our holy pilgrimage sites as centres of worship, welfare work, education and cultural activity. We must restore them to their former glory.
It seems that many of the areas where our holy places are situated, are economically backward and the people living there are
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