Risk perception among pilgrims at natural disaster-prone non-western pilgrimage sites

Historically associated with religious/devotional movements, pilgrimage is one of the earliest types of travel not driven by economic exclusively need but is linked to culture and traditions. In search of knowledge and spiritual solace, hundreds of millions of people from all walks of life visit holy sites. Often, pilgrims encounter dangers, risks, and natural disasters when they visit these locations. Adopting the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology, this study investigated the risk perception of 21 pilgrims travelling to disaster-prone pilgrimage sites in the Western Himalayas. The results of the study indicate that while faith, spiritual rewards, norms, and traditions of the community help reduce risk perception, anthropomorphic characteristics of the natural landscape of the pilgrim environment enhance the sense of safety among pilgrims. The study also contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors associated with the risk perception of pilgrims travelling to natural disaster-prone pilgrimage centres, particularly in developing countries.