The word "pilgrimage" is spelled with three syllables, /ˈpɪl.ɡrɪm.ɪdʒ/. The first syllable, "pil," is pronounced with a short "i" sound and stressed. The second and third syllables form a secondary stressed syllable with a soft "g" sound followed by "rihm" and an "ij" sound. This word refers to a religious or spiritual journey or pilgrimage, often taken by followers of certain religions to sacred sites. Proper spelling and pronunciation of the word is essential, especially for those traveling on a pilgrimage themselves.
A pilgrimage refers to a journey or expedition undertaken by individuals or groups for religious, spiritual, or cultural reasons. It is commonly associated with various faith traditions, such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and others, where devotees embark on a sacred voyage to a significant or sacred site. These sites are often religiously significant due to their connection to a historical event, revered person, or as a place for meditation and reflection.
Pilgrimages are characterized by solemnity, reverence, and devotion as participants seek to deepen their faith, seek blessings, find spiritual healing, or seek answers to their queries. Pilgrims may walk, cycle, ride, or travel by other means to reach their destination, varying in duration from a couple of days to several months. Often, participants wear symbolic clothing or carry sacred objects to signify their commitment and devotion throughout their pilgrimage.
The significance of a pilgrimage lies not only in reaching the destination, but also in the journey itself. The physical effort and sacrifices made are believed to purify the soul and strengthen the bond with the divine. Pilgrimages are often associated with rituals, prayers, and acts of penance performed at specific points along the journey or at the destination. These rituals often act as a means of spiritual renewal, self-discovery, and connection with fellow pilgrims.
As a concept, pilgrimage has expanded beyond religious contexts and can also refer to a personal or collective search for meaning, a quest for self-discovery, or a journey to a place of personal significance.
A journey to a distant place for a devotional purpose; in Scrip., the journey of life.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pilgrimage" derives from the Latin word "peregrinus", meaning "foreigner" or "traveler". The prefix "per-" implies "through", while "agri" signifies "field" or "land". Hence, the term initially referred to a journey through foreign lands or distant regions. Over time, the concept of pilgrimage became associated with religious or spiritual journeys to significant destinations such as holy sites, shrines, or places of worship. In Middle English, the term evolved into "pilgrimage", maintaining its original meaning of a long and often arduous journey to a sacred goal.