Abstract. The article examines the theoretical foundations of pilgrimage discourse and the role of religious metaphors within it, drawing on cognitive and discourse-based approaches. The concept of “ziyorat/pilgrimage” is described in lexical and semantic terms and, on the basis of English and Uzbek texts, is interpreted through the leading metaphorical models of spiritual journey, purification and healing. The comparative analysis demonstrates that these metaphors function as an effective linguo-cognitive means of representing the pilgrim’s inner spiritual experience, shaping notions of sacredness and conveying religious values.