Published Paper Details:

The advent of COVID-19 created an unprecedented divide, forcing a radical re-evaluation of this centuries-old tradition. With the closure of holy shrines and strict social distancing protocols, the traditional narrative of physical pilgrimage became impossible. This led to a profound shift, giving rise to new concepts of spiritual practice. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of technology, giving birth to the "virtual pilgrimage," where devotees could participate in online darshans and live-streamed aartis. This decoupling of the spiritual experience from a physical location is a key change. Furthermore, the enforced isolation encouraged a focus on "interior pilgrimage," a more personal and introspective journey of faith. This paper explores the contrasting pilgrimage narratives across these two phases: the pre-pandemic era, defined by physical presence and community, and the post-pandemic landscape, characterised by a hybrid model of spiritual practice. By analysing these narratives, this study aims to illuminate how Tirth Yatra has adapted, demonstrating the resilience of faith in the face of modern challenges and highlighting the new dimensions of spirituality brought about by connectivity, communication, technology, and introspection.