Religious pilgrimages have been part of our culture for millenia, dating back to the treks people made to the Oracle at Delphi in Greece. These journeys can be pivotal experiences in the lives of the faithful, and there are many places around the world that serve as beacons for men and women of all religions and beliefs. There are also a number of sites that cross religions in their importance; many sites throughout the Holy Land are equally important to Christians, Muslims, Jews, and others. This list is designed to show a variety of different holy places that make for life-changing spiritual treks.
1.-4. Jerusalem, Israel, and Bethlehem, Bethlehem Governorate
These are easy to group into one spot because they’re so close together, separated by a few miles. For Christians, these two cities in the Holy Land are major landmarks, with Bethlehem marking the birthplace of Jesus and Jerusalem marking the site of his death and resurrection, as well as the events of Pentecost. The Western Wall, aka the Wailing Wall, is another sacred Bethlehem spot for believers to pray. Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity is built over the cave believed to be the specific birthplace of Jesus.
5. Varanasi, India
One of the oldest cities in India, Varanasi is a holy place and popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Buddhists. Legend states that the city was founded by Lord Shiva 5,000 years ago, and more than 1 million Hindus visit the city every year to see the holy shrine of Kashi Vishwanath, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Buddhists also revere the city for being one of the four pilgrimage sites dictated by Gautama Buddha, and for being the purported site of the Buddha’s first sermon on the tenets of the faith.
6. Amritsar, India
Amritsar is the site of the Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, which is one of the most holy and important places in the Sikh religion. In addition to drawing devoted Sikhs, the temple is open to all men and women wishing to visit and pray. As a symbol of this, the temple has four doors, one on each wall, to demonstrate its openness.
7. Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has more than 130 temples around the world, but the biggest and most popular destination for Mormons is Utah’s Salt Lake Temple. The temple is the heart of Temple Square, a 10-acre compound that’s a major tourist destination as well as a sacred site for Mormons. The temple’s interior is only open to church members, though the surrounding gardens and visitor centers are open to the public.
8. Lumbini, Nepal
Located in the Rupandehi district of Nepal, Lumbini is said to be the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who founded Buddhism and became known as Guatama Buddha. The city is one of several important pilgrimage sites in the Buddhist tradition, and adherents of the faith flock there annually. Lumbini has been designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the surrounding area is a monastic zone in which only monasteries (no stores or commercial shops) can be built. Of note is the Maya Devi Temple, named for Gautama’s mother and said to mark the exact place of his birth.
9. Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Mecca is the holiest place in the Islam faith. It is the destination of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage undertaken every year by more than a million Muslims. (Estimates for 2009 put the number closer to 1.6 million.) The Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and every Muslim who is physically and financially able to make the trip must do so once in their life. Mecca is also home to Al-Masjid al-Haram, also referred to as the Grand Mosque, which is the largest mosque in the world.
10. Bom Jesús do Monte, Braga, Portugal
This sanctuary outside Braga is an important pilgrimage site for the region. The presence of a chapel on the hill dates back to the 1300s, though the present sanctuary began construction in 1722. The chapels are accessed by walking a Baroque-styled staircase that cuts back and forth through the hill for almost 400 feet, presenting those who make the journey with scenes from the Passion of Christ.
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