Śrīla Bhakti Vinod Ṭhākur explains the superiority of Vaiṣṇava-sevā over pilgrimage.
The following song is found in the Upadeś [‘Advice’] section of Śrī Kalyāṇa-kalpa-taru (1.14).
O mind, you are always attached to holy places like Ayodhyā, Mathurā, Haridvār, Kāśī, Kāñchī, Avantī, and Dvārakā.
You want visit all of these holy places again and again to attain liberation. All such travelling is your fantasy and is simply useless labour. Holy places do not make your heart steady.
The purpose of visiting holy places is associating with sādhus. Closely associate with sādhus and beautifully serve Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Wherever sādhus are present is a holy place. Steady your heart and constantly associate with sādhus.
Do not go to ‘holy places’ where Vaiṣṇavas are not present. What is the benefit of walking to such distant places? Wherever Vaiṣṇavas are present is Vṛndāvan and is an abode of unlimited joy.
Wherever devotion to Kṛṣṇa is present, liberation is present as a maidservant. There the water is Ganges water, the mountains are Govardhan, and the land is Vṛndāvan. There the hlādinī-śakti is personally present.
Vinod says, “O brother, what benefit is there in travelling? My vow is to serve the Vaiṣṇavas.