Uman' Off The Beaten Path

3 more images

Uman is place where Nachman's of Breslov, the founder and spiritual leader of the Breslov Hasidic dynasty, is burried. so every year, for Rosh Hashana, Chanuka and Shavuot thousands of Husidim all over the world travel to Uman to pray at Rebbe Nachman's grave.
the pilgrimage was halted in 1917 but it was continued clandestinely till 1989, and since 1989 it officially renewed.

the biggest pilgrimage is the Rosh Hashana kibbutz. most of pilgrims are men and boys (I have seen may be 5 women at most). the area around the grave where they settle are guarded by Ukrainian militia, but you still can pass if you show respect to very believes. I would not recommend for women to go their during that time unless they have affiliation with some international organisations. I felt like I was under the magnifying glass all the time. and while younger generation was more tolerant, the older one was not that much. though overall atmosphere was very friendly and jubilant. there is no problem to visit Rabbi Nachman's grave in any other time.