Yatra means a pilgrimage or sacred journey undertaken for spiritual purposes. Hindu pilgrimage is one of the most ancient and widespread spiritual practices, with roots in the Vedic period. Major yatras include: Char Dham Yatra (four sacred abodes across India), Chota Char Dham (four shrines in Uttarakhand), Amarnath Yatra (ice Shiva lingam in Kashmir), Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (Mount Kailash in Tibet), and Kumbh Mela (rotating pilgrimage to four sacred rivers). Yatra is considered a form of Tapas (austerity) — the physical hardship of travel purifies the pilgrim. Traditionally, yatras were undertaken on foot, though modern pilgrims use vehicles and flights. The spiritual benefits of yatra include purification of sins, accumulation of merit (Punya), darshan of sacred deities, and experiencing the sacred geography of Bharatavarsha (India).