Empirical Phenomenology of Pilgrimage to Imam Reza's Shrine in Mashhad

Pilgrimage is an intended travel to a shrine or a holy place. This religious phenomenon is two-dimensional: subjective and objective. The objective dimension of pilgrimage includes institutionalization and plausibility of pilgrimage. Institutionalization of pilgrimage is a result of repeated pilgrimage with observing specific rituals and ordinances. Plausibility of pilgrimage, however, is mostly concerned with religious narrations (Ahadith) about the rewards of pilgrimage, internalized through learning and education. The subjective dimension of pilgrimage involves pilgrim's awareness of the superiority of the holy person and humbleness before him.A phenomenological analysis of pilgrimage experiences of 6 female participants in Mashhad shows the following: first, the cluster of holiness, belief in intercession, rituals, infatuation, humbleness, supplication, prayer and tranquility is hidden in the pilgrimage's experience, implicating categories of superiority, ritual and supplication through resorting to a holy person. Secondly, the three categories of superiority, ritual and supplication through resorting to a holy person are shared by all pilgrims, indicating the inter subjectivity or social dimension of pilgrimage. However, the uniqueness of pilgrimage is mostly an outcome of the pilgrim's awareness of superiority, his/her supplication and observing the rituals.