a journey made to some sacred place, as an act of religious devotion

a building where monks or nuns live or used to live

a place where people come to worship because it is connected with a holy person or event

a very old story or set of stories from ancient times

the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, which legend says was brought to England

Glastonbury: a historical site for Christians

Religious education

Iona: a historic Christian pilgrimage

Iona: a contemporary Christian pilgrimage

The River Ganges: a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site

Kumbh Mela: a Hindu place of pilgrimage

Glastonbury: a contemporary spiritual place

In this unit pupils will revist the idea of pilgrimage.  They will investigate case studies of the sites of Iona, the Ganges and Glastonbury. From this they will learn that there has been a Christian or Hindu presence there for centuries. They will note how there is both continuity and change.

Pilgrimage: why are people still drawn to ancient places?

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

a place where people worship as it is connected to a holy person/event

the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, possibly brought to England

Match the keywords to the correct definition.

All places of pilgrimage have remained the same.

Glastonbury was a famous early and medieval centre of pilgrimage in England.

Glastonbury continues to be important today although it has changed.

Glastonbury is no longer an important place today.

Joseph of Arimathea is believed to have lived in Glastonbury. What is he known for in the Bible?

Joseph of Arimathea is said to have converted tens of thousands of people to Christianity. Who was one of those converts?

one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain

one of the only medieval Christian Abbeys dedicated to Mary

In which country would you find the place of Christian pilgrimage called Iona?

How often does the Hindu Pilgrimage of Kumbh Mela take place?

Why would people wash in the rivers during Kumbh Mela?

Which Hindu deities would you associate with the sacred Hindu pilgrimage site of the River Ganges?

What does the third eye represent on the foreheads of some Hindu deities?

Starter Quiz

In which country would you find the place of Christian pilgrimage called Iona?