Trending traditions- Holy holiday ideas for a special vacation

It was heartening to learn about Aamir Khan accompanying his mother Zeenat Hussain for the holy pilgrimage of Hajj to Saudi Arabia recently. This kind of celebrity action sets up a valuable role model for especially the younger generation who tend to emulate star behavior in their personal lives.

While there are many ideas of vacationing popular these days from leisure, adventure, nature, entertainment etc. but going on a pilgrimage can be a different experience altogether that reinvigorates us physically, mentally and spiritually. Many of you who might have visited any holy site would agree that there is a strong vibration of faith of all the congregated followers that makes the energy of the environment rather powerful and one feels very connected with the supreme elements when visiting this kind of a destination. It becomes a great blessing to be surrounded by positive vibes which can help us resolve issues of inner doubt, conflict, worries leaving them literally at the Almighty’s doorstep and discovering new inner peace.

Often a pilgrimage like the Hajj is a frugal journey where the focus is not on super comforts, instead the mind is focused on prayer. It is interesting how we don’t even register going without luxuries of travel in this instance as one can say our interest is engaged with issues of higher motivation and gratification at a different metaphysical level. Similarly it becomes an equally inspiring application in daily life when we may consider sacrificing small goodies for attaining higher goals which bring us closer to our inner self and deeper values.

Like Aamir’s choice of taking his mother to Hajj, going on a pilgrimage with friends and family is a great opportunity of closer bonding with our kith and kin. In the case of dependent elders, this might be one of the best possible gifts and gestures of love that the younger generation can bestow by taking our seniors out on such a journey which might be a challenge or impossible target to achieve for them on their own.

We have one life and many a times going on a pilgrimage like the Hajj is once a lifetime’s chance experience. How can we then let go and not really indulge in it as one of the most special possibilities that we should strive to optimize as an experience for ourselves and our loved ones. Do share your views and any bytes from journeys of faith that you might have undertaken. Not just another holiday but pure soul bliss experience!

(Poonam Srivastava is a Delhi based writer who has published books and articles on subjects of social innovation and practical spirituality. She also actively volunteers her time to promote causes related to these spheres.)

(Atika Singh is a post graduate in Counseling Psychology from Amity Institute of Behavioral & Allied Sciences and graduate in History from Delhi University. She has been actively involved in the emotional counseling space; and is passionate about empowering individuals to deal with their personal and professional issues, and achieve greater success. She is a certified Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner.)