Tirtha
A tirtha is a sacred place that is holy because a pastime of God took place there, it is a holy river, or a place where a temple of God is. It could be a place where a holy sage (saint) lived. The confluence of two holy rivers is especially holy.
It is a general rule to shave your head at a place of pilgrimage. You can especially notice this at Tirupati, where even many of the women have their heads cleanly shaven. One is not supposed to take gifts when he goes to a tirtha, rather one is supposed to give religious charity. It is recommended that as far as possible one should go to a tirtha by foot. The journey to a pilgrimage place is called a tiratha-yatra. When you bathe in a holy river it is best to face the direction from which the river flows.
|
