ABSTRACT
Monotheism strengthened the tradition of pilgrimages. It is not surprising to say that pilgrimaging is the oldest form of tourism. Although pilgrimaging is usually done for religious reasons, it is conditioned by numerous personal, family and social motives. There are natural and numerous connections between pilgrimaging and religious tourism and nature tourism, ecotourism, rural tourism, agritourism and culinary tourism in metropolitan areas. Hindus believe that if one makes a pilgrimage to some sacred places during Kumbh Mela, one will be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. The Arbaeen pilgrimage consists of two parts: a trek from Basra to Karbala and a visit to the tomb of Hussein. The Way of St James is available to individual pilgrims. They can visit churches and chapels on the way and stay for the night at convenient pilgrim hostels or agritourism farms.
