10 Most Important Sacred Sites on the Planet

Great Mosque of Djenné (Mali)

It is located in the African state of Mali in the city of Djenne and is completely different from traditional Islamic temples. It is built of clay, with wooden beams protruding from it in all directions. This mosque, despite its exotic appearance, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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10.08.17

1) Ta Prum

Ta Phrum is one of the temples at Angor, a temple complex dedicated to the god Vishnu in Cambodia. It was built in the late 12th century AD by King Jayavarman VII of the Khmen Empire. Isolated and deliberately left in the jungle like the rest of the temple complex, Ta Phrum has been overrun by wildlife. It is this aspect that attracts tourists most of all - they dream of seeing an abandoned and overgrown temple a thousand years ago.

Spiritual Places of the World: Crater Lake (Oregon, USA)

Almost 8 thousand years ago, the Mazama volcano exploded, causing its caldera to fill with water. Indian legends say that once upon a time a grand battle took place here between the God of the sky Skell and the God of the underworld Liao. Indians have long visited this place to seek visions and try to predict the future. Those who succeeded were considered to have the sacred power of spirits.

Photo: (CC BY-SA)

Photo: NPS photo

Photo: (CC BY-SA)

Rishikesh (India)

Even members of the Beatles came here to meditate. The sacred Ganges River flows through the entirety of Rishikesh, along the banks of which there are numerous ashrams. In the Ganges, it is customary to perform ceremonial mass bathing. Thousands of people participate in this process and believe that the river waters have healing properties. In the Rishikesh area, the Ganges flows down from the Himalayas, so the water here is relatively clean.

In the ashrams they study yoga and Hindu philosophy, as well as meditate. The most famous of them is Parmarth Niketan, consisting of thousands of rooms. Every year, in February-March, a yoga festival is held here. Exact dates and conditions of participation can be found on the website www.parmarth.com. You can also visit Ayurveda centers in Rishikesh.

Spiritual Places of the World: Cape Reinga (North Island, New Zealand)

At the tip of the North Island, where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet, lies a twisted pohutukawa tree. From here, according to Maori mythology, the souls of the dead descend to the bottom of the sea, beginning their journey to Mount Ohaua, from which they take their last look at their earthly home. For Maori this place is sacred, although for ordinary tourists it is only a secluded corner on the edge of the earth.

Photo: AdrianaGois / pixabay (Pixabay License)

Photo: (CC BY-SA)

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Spiritual places of the world: Mount Kailash (Tibetan Plateau, China)

Mount Kailash is located in western Tibet. This is the mandala, the source of the four great rivers of Asia and the center of the universe: Bons, Jains, Hindus and Buddhists consider it sacred. The biggest challenge is the pilgrimage around the entire mountain, because the length of the difficult route is about 52 kilometers! The reward will be not only getting rid of bad karma and complete enlightenment, but also breathtaking views along the way.

Photo: (CC BY-SA)

Photo: (CC BY)

Settlement of Ninstintz (British Columbia, Canada)

The Haida people have inhabited the Haida Gwaii archipelago for about 8 thousand years. The village of Sgang Guaay, located in the southwest, was abandoned in the 1880s. So little by little the local totem poles are replaced by trees and moss, and the collapse of the settlement expresses the people’s connection with nature. It can only be reached by sea, and while traveling through the old forest, the guide will tell fascinating stories about totems.

Photo: Dale Simonson / flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

6) St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica - one of the most amazing Catholic cathedrals in the world - is located in the Vatican. It is one of the holiest places for Christians, and the church itself was built in the 17th century. This is not only one of the most beautiful architectural structures, but also one of the largest and most spacious. Up to 60 thousand people can be in the cathedral at the same time! It is believed that under the altar there is the tomb of St. Peter.

10) Notre Dame Cathedral

One of the most famous cathedrals in the world, as well as one of the most beautiful, is located in Paris. It was built between 1163 and 1250 and is considered one of the most important monuments of Gothic architecture. Witnessing many historical events, the cathedral was often damaged and was thoroughly restored several times. Today it is one of the symbols of France and an important tourist attraction, which both believers and ordinary tourists flock to see.

The most important sacred places on the planet

Recently, religious tourism has become increasingly popular. There are more and more believers every day, and people are becoming more interested in religion. In any case, the charm of religious places does not depend on the beliefs and religions that are promoted there. People come here to get closer to the saint, to find faith and peace of mind.

1. Ta Prum. It is one of the Angora temples, a temple complex dedicated to the god Vishnu in Cambodia. The temple was built at the end of the 12th century AD. King Jayavarman VII of the Khmen Empire. The structure is located in the jungle and looks like an overgrown and abandoned temple from a thousand years ago.

2. Kaaba. This is the most important sacred site for Islamic believers. Its history began long before the time of the Prophet Muhammad. At one time, there was a refuge for statues of Arab gods. The Kaaba is located in the city of Mecca (Saudi Arabia).

3. Borobudur. This sacred site was discovered in the 19th century in the bush of Java, Indonesia. Its amazing design includes 504 Buddha statues and approximately 2,700 reliefs. The history of the temple remains a mystery for now, since it is still not known who built this temple and for what purpose. Another interesting question is why such a delightful structure was abandoned.

4. Church of Las Lajas. The amazingly beautiful Las Lajas Church was built in 1916 on the site where, according to legend, Saint Mary appeared to people. According to one legend, a woman and her sick daughter walked through these places. As she stopped to rest, her daughter suddenly began to speak.

5. Saint Sophia. The truly amazing Hagia Sophia in Istanbul has a very long history. It was once a Christian church founded by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine I (4th century AD). After the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks, the church ceased to exist, and a mosque was founded in its place. In the Hagia Sophia, the internal images of Christians were not erased, but only hidden under a layer of plaster.

6. St. Peter's Basilica. The beautiful Catholic St. Peter's Basilica is located in the Vatican. It was erected in the 17th century. In addition to the title of the most beautiful, this cathedral is considered the largest and most spacious (up to 60 thousand people!). There is an opinion that under the altar there is the tomb of St. Peter.

7. Sanctuary of Apollo. This temple was built 3500 years ago. For the Greeks, this was the “center of the world”; not only they, but also thousands of other pilgrims came here to hear the prophecies of the Oracle of Delphi - a priestess through whose lips God seemed to speak to the believers.

8. Mahabodhi Temple. This is the holiest place for Buddhists. Thousands of believers and tourists come here every year. Buddhists believe that Siddhartha Gautama achieved Enlightenment here, becoming Buddha.

9. Luxor Temple. The amazing structure was built in the 14th century BC. and was dedicated to Amon (Amon-Ra) - the most important god of the Egyptians. Every night the temple is illuminated by hundreds of lights, which makes this spectacle unforgettable.

10. Notre Dame Cathedral. Notre Dame Cathedral is the most famous cathedral in the world. It was built between 1163 and 1250 and is considered one of the most important monuments of Gothic architecture.

Spiritual places of the world: Lake Titicaca (Peru and Bolivia)

Situated at an altitude of 3,800 meters, Lake Titicaca is central to the origins of the Inca civilization. Its founder was King Manco Capac, who is said to have emerged from a rock on Isla del Sol. As a result, the “Island of the Sun” became a key religious center, where pilgrims from all over the empire flocked to visit the shrine. Today on the legendary island you can walk along equipped trails, visit the ruins of an ancient temple and enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-capped Andes.

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Kathmandu (Nepal)

The holy city of Buddhism and Hinduism, Kathmandu is located in Nepal and is famous for its numerous monasteries and temples. Locals believe that 10 million gods live in its vicinity and protect them from all troubles. Among the main attractions of Kathmandu are the 8th century wooden Kasthamandal temple, the Jagannath, Ashok Vinayak temples and the Jaishi Deval temple dedicated to Shiva, famous for its carvings with erotic scenes.

In Kathmandu you can see the famous stupas: the huge Swayambhunath, which is reached by a staircase of 365 steps, and the largest in Nepal - Boudhanath. Many travelers begin their exploration of Kathmandu from Palace Square, where the Singha Darbar Palace is located. You should definitely admire Machapuchara, the sacred mountain of the Nepalese. Climbing the mountain is prohibited: it is believed that Shiva himself lies there and smokes a pipe.

4) Las Lajas Church

One of the most amazingly beautiful and important sacred places in the world - the Church of Las Lajas - was built just a little less than a century ago - in 1916 - on the site where, according to legend, Saint Mary appeared to people. A woman with her sick, deaf-mute daughter on her shoulders walked through these places. When she stopped to rest, her daughter suddenly began to speak for the first time in her life and spoke about a strange vision in the cave. This vision turned into a mysterious image, the origin of which has not been established even today after detailed analysis. There were supposedly no paint pigments left on the surface of the stone, although it could have been deeply ingrained into the stone. Even though the image has not been restored, it is very bright.

Jerusalem (Israel)

A holy city for Christians, Muslims and Jews, a place of pilgrimage and a tourist attraction, Jerusalem is amazing and must be visited at least once in your life. In the Christian Quarter there is the main shrine - the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, in which a piece of Christ's crown of thorns is kept. In the same part of the city you can see the ruins of the Gate of Judgment, the Stone of Anointing and Via Delarosa, along which Christ walked to Calvary.

In the Muslim Quarter, you should pay attention to the Temple Mount - there is the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, one of the oldest buildings in the Muslim world. It was erected over the sanctuary, in which, according to legend, the Ark of the Covenant was kept. In the Jewish Quarter you can climb the stairs of Ma'alot Rabi Yehuda to the Western Wall. You can go to Bethlehem (only 8 km away) to visit the Basilica of the Nativity, built over the Cave of the Nativity in 326.