Mashhad to Karbala; Qualitative study of the two pilgrimage rituals of Safar (Mashhad) and Arbaeen (Karbala)

A comparison between the pattern of pilgrimage experience in the two pilgrimage rituals "Arbaeen Walk" and "Last Zero Pilgrimage to Mashhad" can provide a good understanding of the pilgrimage patterns of Shiites, especially Iranians. The present article, by asking about these differences and similarities, has been conducted in the framework of a qualitative research with participatory observation techniques and in-depth semi-structured interviews with pilgrims and servants in both hiking rituals. The research data were collected from two experimental studies on the Arbaeen walk and the last zero walk to Mashhad, both in 1396. The results show the fundamental similarities in the general patterns of travel and experience of Iranian pilgrimage in these two religions. At the same time, there are important differences between the experience of pilgrims in these two rituals, which can be seen especially in the prevailing pattern of travel, how to serve pilgrims and organize these activities, as well as the pattern of identity and cultural diversity in the context of these two rituals.