Pilgrimage
Modern day Pilgrimages and Tourism
Sites of pilgrimage today have much in common with tourist attractions around the globe and souvenirs have found a place at pilgrimage sites. Shops, hotels, and other attractions have popped up to service the masses of people on pilgrimage in one form or another. Now pilgrims can purchase an object to represent their journey, including items like miniature figurines, medals, t-shirts, and coins. In a desire for greater authenticity, some pilgrims prefer items not for sale. At manmade and natural sites it is not uncommon for people to take a piece home with them as a souvenirs, leaving lasting effects on the site. Generations of visitors take their toll on pilgrimage sites. In addition to the taking of unauthorized souvenirs, foot traffic and daily interactions with people have had detrimental effects on monuments worldwide.
The Buiness of Pilgrimage
Popular Culture
Influx of Visitors
According to the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), over 100 million people participate in pilgrimages annually. The largest human gathering happens during Kumbh Mela, in India. This festival happens every 3 years; the 2013 festival attracted close to 100 million people. As travel becomes faster, more affordable and easier to plan, the numbers of pilgrims increases. It does not take much for people to leave their mark; even something as light as a kiss can make its mark when done dozens of times a week for decades. As the amount of traveling pilgrims increases worldwide, so does the impact on the environment. In 2011, the Green Pilgrimage Network was formed to address these environmental concerns and reduce impacts (click the link below to learn more about it).
Pilgrimages still captivate audiences with harrowing tales of adventure, reflection and camaraderie. Emilio Estevez’s The Way which follows four different people as they travel along the Camino De Santiago which ends at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain (click the link below to learn more about it). Another example is Le Grand Voyage, a French film that follows a father and son as they travel from southern France to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. Both films showcase the growth of the characters while the pilgrimage itself is portrayed.