Yatra

Yatra

यात्रा yātrā

"Journey", "procession"

Pilgrimage, travel to the holy places (parikrama), such as places of confluence of sacred rivers, places of appearance of avatars, in tantrism these are shakti-pithas. Yatra is a group pilgrimage. Those who participate in yatra are called yatri.

There are various reasons for holding a yatra: celebrating a religious festival, performing rituals for deceased ancestors, gaining good karma. For Hindus, the process of yatra itself is equivalent to its destination. Difficulties being overcome along the way are the form of spiritual cleansing and are seen as an act of devotion to God. Yatra also refers to any religious procession, or any festival of which procession is a part.