Guru Granth Sahib on pilgrimage and fasting

Sikhism is against pilgrimages and fasts, whatever may be the socio- political, religious, traditional or cultural justifications which may be extended by anyone. The Sikh Gurus visited some of these places as historians and explorers to demonstrate the futility to such journeys and to show the devotees the true path to God.
People who go on pilgrimage give various reasons, excuses and pretexts for their actions - some of these are :-
* A mere ritual, branded as religious formality by their spiritually blind leaders. 
* To flex socio-political muscle & show off monetary strength to their adversaries. 
* Social projection of one's false image of spirituality and person endowed with saintly qualities. 
* Just for the Sake of some for fun, change and as a holidays and time to relax.
* False notion that it washes off their sins.
* There is nothing else to do.
* Promotion of sales of the products branded as holy & socio-commercially associating them with one or more of the mythological references; hictorical value and cultural normality. 
All these notions have been certified as a complete wastage of time, resources, & propagation of Manmat. Nanak sums up all these in one Tuk...
* Bhariyy mat papa ky sang oh Dhopyy navyy ky rang.....When the hands and the feet and the body are dirty, water can wash away the dirt.. Read on.
All these mythological, ritualistic, irrational & subjective beliefs and actions are useless and in vain and will not remove the stain and pollution caused by a life-time of sins. This filth of the mind needs to be washed & flushed off through repeated spiritual bathing... (listening to, singing, learning & writing the quintessence of Gurbani in ones mind. One needs to focus and resolve to begin on a lifelong walk on this true path guided by the true Guru's word) - in the pure ocean of God's Language. The Guru's message tell us how to wash the filth of these sins exactly the way soap washes clothes which get soiled with dirt, mud, urine, etc. 
The Sikh Gurus provide clear and simple guidance for their Sikhs - They are asked to cleanse the mind by rising it with pure Gurbani; to cultivate a humble attitude and real love for all of humanity; to shirk away from useless rituals which only elevates ones ego. The following Gurbani tuks (lines) give a picture of the Guru's vision:
* "Neecha andar neech jaat neechee hu ati neech, Nanak tin ky sang Saath vadian so kia rees...."(this lowest of the low cast Nanak prefer to be with the Lowest of the low, humble, meekest of the meek & exploited masses....sweet nothing I care for the high & mighty).
 
* "Khalik Khlk, Khalk my Khalik....." ( "The Creation is in the Creator, and the Creator is in the Creation, totally pervading and permeating all places". ...God lives in the heart of every human being. 
The warns us - 
*"The more one wanders at sacred shrines of pilgrimage, the more one talks uselessly." (sggs page 467) - so, a Sikh must discard pilgrimages, and penance which are part of Manmat 
*The Vedic culture of fasting for the well being of the husband is totally rejected by the Sikh Guru - "Kabeer, the woman who gives up meditation on the Lord, and observes the ritual fast of Ahoi, shall be reincarnated as a donkey, to carry heavy burdens. ((108))" (sggs page 1370)
*Sikhism outright rejects . Gurbani debars all human beings from engaging in rituals of any sort whatsoever. "Fasting, daily rituals, and austere self-discipline - those who keep the practice of these, are rewarded with less than a shell." (sggs page 216). So a true Sikhs will never ever undertaken a fast of any kind. 
* "No pilgrim-spot is equal to the Guru...The Guru is the river in whose water (Naam),the filth of sin and evil thoughts, are washed off." (sggs page 1329)
==Pilgrimage==
The futility of wandering to the so-called sacred places is amply illustrated by the life of Guru Amar Das. Before he became Guru, he went on pilgrimages twenty times, without benefit. 
He saw the light only when he finally met Guru Angad. (see Sakhi) The Gurus tried to remove the notion of the efficacy of pilgrimage. Guru Nanak says: "I would like to go to pilgrimage only if it pleases God." Elsewhere, he says: "My places of pilgrimage are to study 'The Word', and contemplating its divine knowledge within me."
Guru Gobind Singh was very emphatic about the futility of pilgrimage. According to him, without God's Name, such visits have not the slightest significance. Kabir sought God in the temple of his mind. He therefore, migrated from Benaras, a well-known sacred city, to Magahar, a traditionally cursed town.
==Fasting==
Sikhism does not regard fasting as religiously meritorious. God has given us the human body - the temple of the soul - which has to be nourished and cared for. Fasting as an austerity, as a ritual, as a mortification of the body by means of wilful hunger is forbidden in Sikhism. Guru Nanak says: "Penance, fasting, austerity and alms-giving are inferior to 'The Truth'; right action is superior to all."
There are sects which do not eat or drink this or that during the fast. Some people will not eat cereals, but will take other types of food. Such people may be treated as hypocrites. They give up the use of certain type of food, not because they want to, but because they wish to impress others. It feeds their ego and does not earn merit in God's domain. According to Guru Nanak, true fasting is the renunciation of the fruit of one's actions.
A Sikh is encouraged to practise constant temperance and moderation in matters of food. Neither starve nor over-eat; just eat simple and nourishing food: this is the golden rule. . Healthy food but in small quantities(Alap Ahar), just to keep body and soul together and to prevent sleep and sloth, this is recommended for a Sikh. Gluttony is not only socially bad, but also morally reprehensible.
Below are Shabads from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib that give the Sikh guidance on these issues:
== Against pilgrimage ==
==Against fasting==
==External Links ==
* gurmat.info 
* www.gurbani.org
Category:SGGS
Category:Scriptures and Literature
Category:Sikh belief