All religions have sacred or power spots where its followers head to annually or on occasions to take part in the religious festivities or to bath and take in the vibe and energy that the place has to offer, before returning home to the chores of their daily lives, with renewed energy and boost. Some do come back a different person after performing the rituals; or after encountering life changing happenings; or just by sitting in silence, in these places of worship.
What makes a place sacred? Martin Gray who "since 1984, has traveled extensively to more than 100 countries, visited, studied and photographed more than 1,000 sacred places in all the places he went, recognized 20 distinct factors that contribute to the localized energy fields of sacred sites" and divides them into three main categories that are: "influences of the Earth; influences of the structures that humans have built at the sacred sites; and influences caused by the accumulated power of focused human intention."
This is pretty true when it comes to the sacred spots that we frequent: be it the caves, jungles or the mountains; the magnificent temples; and the congregation of people at these places.
Although this phenomena of heading for these spots for various reasons has been in practice since time immemorial and is seen in presents days too, Martin asks a very fundamental question: "How are we to account for the initial development of the ancient pilgrimage traditions? What started them? Why did human beings originally visit and venerate certain places on Earth?".
Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/wellness/2006/05/what-makes-a-power-spot-sacred.aspx?p=2#ZkYZwxQ7Fz5YLdbD.99
Although the common man has tried to answer them based on tradition and folklore, and linking them to myth and legends, these questions remain unanswered.
Just as Martin writes, "After spending 12 years in a disciplined practice of Hindu and Buddhist meditation techniques, I had begun to have unusual visionary experiences in which I was directed to travel to Easter Island, in the remote southern Pacific Ocean. Visiting Easter Island, and also the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, I had two more visions that directed me to “follow the pilgrimage routes of the ancient religions” and to begin those travels in Japan. These visionary experiences were both auditory and visual, and of surprising clarity", many have been gifted with these extraordinary visions of places and things and have embarked on a search of these places.
While many are known to have started a journey of discovery after receiving divine visions, we have heard of stories where many artifacts came to be discovered through visions given to others. When my guru Supramania Swami was doing tapas in the sacred hill of Tiruvannamalai, a spot was indicated to him where on digging a vel was found.
Similarly places where Siddhas had either worshiped, meditated, lived or went into samadhi are considered sacred and power spots, where one's wishes and desires are granted and come to fulfillment. It is for this reason that pilgrims travel long distances and rough terrain to be in these places believing that the presence of these Siddhas can be felt, seen, or heard. Some sense the aroma in the air and the ambrosia or nectar in them. The Siddhas make known their presence through our senses and the pilgrims return home rejuvenated and happy.
Going to these places upon receiving visions or to fulfill a desire, and for various other reasons, all these aside, taking the journey back to Nature and its fold itself is life revisited. Sadly while Nature is full of spirit and alive, man has become dead. By distancing himself away from nature, man shuts himself within four walls, creating a fortress around him and by attending to his selfish needs and wants, becomes indifferent to others and nature, hence unknowingly bringing on him depression and illness.
Nature has the power to heal; sooth and calm one's nerves; and feed and rejuvenate us. Lets get back to linking ourselves with Nature and Prapanjam.
Sri Krishna has put together another one day spiritual yatra to the Sri Marathandavar Temple in Maran and the Maha Jalalingeswar Temple in Panching, Pahang. Devotees are invited to register to join this trip.
Sri Krishna has put together another one day spiritual yatra to the Sri Marathandavar Temple in Maran and the Maha Jalalingeswar Temple in Panching, Pahang. Devotees are invited to register to join this trip.
