Religious rituals, as one of the most important forms of collective action, play a fundamental role in creating and strengthening social cohesion. The Arbaeen pilgrimage, as one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, provides a unique context for studying the processes of solidarity formation, cooperation, and representation of collective identity among pilgrims. This research aims to analyze the lived experience of Iranian pilgrims and compare it with the representation of this experience in the national media, using an ethnographic approach. Field data were collected through participatory observation, semi-structured interviews with 30 Iranian pilgrims, and field notes. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling method, taking into account maximum diversity in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, and pilgrimage history, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation. Field data analysis was conducted using coding based on thematic analysis and content analysis of the national media using narrative analysis. Initial findings indicate that the Arbaeen pilgrimage, in addition to creating a profound experience of religious and social solidarity, is an important platform for strengthening social capital, intercultural interactions, and the formation of a sense of shared identity among pilgrims. Comparing these findings with national media representations revealed significant commonalities and differences in the portrayal of social cohesion. The results of this study can be used in cultural policy-making, religious tourism development, and social planning to strengthen national and religious solidarity.