Srinatha Raghavan posted two wonderful pieces on fb regarding pilgrimages.
"Why undertake Pilgrimage, when God is everywhere?" asked someone.
He answered, "Pilgrimage is not to go in search of God, but it is to experience humanity, in it's starkest reality, so one can become a better human being..."
While on pilgrimage to Triyambak, we saw different shades of the same reality, different devotees go through differently. Brahmagiri is a sacred Hill, but not many decide to undertake the treacherous trek, especially in the Monsoon, as it's too steep and dangerously slippery due to constantly flowing spring water at every intermittent flights of steps.
Many who climb the Brahmagiri, abandon their quest mid way, due to various reasons. Honestly we too faced the same predicament, but due to my brothers dogged insistence and despite my frail health, we somehow managed to make it to the top, even after the Sun bid us adieu.
At some point, we too were ruminating to abandon the trek midway and that's when we saw a couple, the Husband disabled in half the side of his body, due to a probable stroke, with the help of his strong Wife, climbed the slippery flight of stairs with great difficulty and devotion.
Seeing their determination, we pushed ourselves to do the same and continued North, instead of going South.
A Pilgrimage is not to seek God, but it is to discover the strength and determination of one's real Self, which beautifully comes out through the help of unexpected difficulties and challenges that the pilgrimage throws at you.
When you face all of them in the right spirit, trust me, many gates of boundless grace, invaluable lessons of Nature's Compassion opens up to the Pilgrim, making him/her mute in awe. It powerfully renews their faith in the hands of the supremely intelligent and equally caring providence, that we call God!
Sri continues,A pilgrimage, is to bring out the best in yourself, by experiencing the worst.
In all the spiritual trips, two things strongly stood out - firstly, in this Yuga, the power of these spiritual spots are fast diminishing, as it has become more or less picnic spots. On the other hand, there are still a few well hidden spots, within the popular ones, that still hold vast amount of spiritual power within it.
The question that comes to mind is why?
The answer is pretty simple. In the days of yore, there were innumerable spiritual souls, who would come to these power spots and do Tapas (Penance) enhancing and reinforcing the spiritual value of the place. Like a rechargeable battery, these places would absorb the power of their spiritual penance and offer it to one and all who come in search of peace and solace. These days no one does no penance, as we all go expecting something or the other from the place.
I recollect an episode in the life of Sri Vasudevanand Saraswati, popularly known as Tembe Swami, who came to Triyambakeshwar for penance. He selected a solitary spot in the Brahmagiri mountains and began his Tapas. Days passed and as there was no provision for food, he was left starving. It is said that, Lord Shiva and Parvati His consort, took upon themselves the responsibility of feeding Tembe Swami. They assumed the form of an old couple and climbed the Brahmagiri every day just to feed the Swami. The Swami too was very grateful to receive alms, even without knowing the real identity of the divine couple, till the day, he completed his Tapas and was ready to move on to the next destination.
When he visited the main Temple to bid adieu, he saw some startling signs of the old couple who fed him everyday, right in the sanctum. Tears streamed down his eyes, as he lovingly offered all the fruits of his Tapas to Triyambakeshwar Himself.
So never forget this, the punya that we derive from visiting various sacred places, is the result of collective consciousness of great souls, who "lovingly donated" the fruits of their tapas for collective good.
If you think donating Money or Food, is the highest act of charity, then it's time you think again, for the very air we breathe, is donated by someone else.
Gratitude is the best form of prayer.
Note: Ramalinga Adigal too was fed by the Goddess who came in the form of his sister as he found himself locked out of his sister's home one night, hungry and exhausted. Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal too has mentioned how the Lord came with food in times of starvation while he was roaming the length and breadth of India.