Holy, religious, spiritual sites that serve as pilgrimage destinations to millions of followers embody a unique offshoot of the tourism industry. People who travel out of devotion are not the average breed of tourist after all. While many visit pilgrimage sites to satisfy cultural, historical and sociological interests, the vast majority do so to fulfill a higher obligation.
As a result, the regions, monuments and towns that transcend mere travel curiosity and encompass a type of spiritual magnetism, occupy a special brand of travel appellation. With that in mind, we move on with our investigation of some of the most holy places on the planet.
It may surprise some to see a city so notorious as a hedonistic, pleasure-dome make our list. With shame, adherents of Buddhism would acknowledge the seedy reputation Bangkok conjures in the minds of many. But to followers and indeed, those who respect the doctrines on which Buddhism stands, Bangkok is a holy city. At almost 1 million square meters, the Wat Pra Kaeo and Grand Palace are the sites which receive the abundance of reverence, notably for Thai Buddhists. Known also as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Wat structure contains many important objects of veneration in the Buddhist tradition.
While the Grand Palace was once a royal residence, it still serves as host to crucial functions in the faith. Other holy attractions in Bangkok include Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn. A major landmark on the Bangkok skyline, the temple spires jut into the air in a style typical of Thai Buddhist architecture and iconography. Wat Pho is another temple in Bangkok familiar to visitors who flock to see the massive gold depiction of Buddha in person. All in all, Bangkok is one of the foremost centers in the world for Buddhists.
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A small city in relative terms, Gaya, with a population of just under 400,000, is a holy site for both Hindus and Buddhists. In Hindu mythology, Gaya was a holy demon who fell under the foot of Lord Vishnu. The rocky hills that surround the city were the geographic result of the lethal blow. The story on Gaya was that he had the power to absolve sins with a touch or mere look. Various Hindu Gods then took their place over his slain body in the area now known by his name.
Today, the city of Gaya contains several holy temples that pay tribute to these immortals and form the basis of a pilgrimage route. These include the hilltop temples of Brahmayoni, Mangla Gauri, Rama Shila and Shringa Sthan, as well as Vishnupad Temple on the banks of the Falgu River. The natural environment around Gaya also serves as a defacto pilgrimage area of sorts, from banyan and pipal trees to the mountains to the sacred Falgu. Hindus consider Gaya the holy site of record in which to pray for the salvation of ancestors.
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Perhaps the most unstable pilgrimage site on our list, Lhasa, Tibet is a holy city of incomparable spiritual import regardless. In spite of tight military and political subjugation at the stern behest of the Chinese government, Lhasa is a preeminent city within Buddhism. As the spiritual home of the Dalai Lama and location of the Potala and Norbulingka Palaces, Lhasa is a holy city par excellence.
Other holy Buddhist landmarks of note include the Drepung Monastery, Zhefung Temple and Sera Monastery. Among the grandeur of the Himalayas, the name Lhasa means “Place of the Gods”. Visitors to the altitude city, as they observe the staunch spiritual adherence of the Tibetan people, can certainly understand why that weighty designation is applicable.
Like many other towns in India, Varanasi is known by other names. Benares and Kashi are just two of them. Whatever designation you choose, this premier Hindu city is in the state of Uttar Pradesh and on the banks of the holy Ganges River. Regardless of adherence or denomination, there is unanimity within Hinduism that Varanasi is the most sacrosanct city in the faith. The home of the venerable shrine to Lord Kasi Viswanatha, pilgrims have held the belief since the dawn of the Hindu religion that death in Varanasi and a cremation in the Ganges ensures a place in heaven and staves off reincarnation.
As one of the most historical towns in terms of population tenure in the world, let alone India, it should come as no surprise that Varanasi is also a holy site for Buddhists and Jains. The cultural contributions of the city link inextricably with the place it holds as the spiritual heart of India as well. From music to philosophy, poetry to art, literature to yoga, some of the most valuable exports the world has been fortunate to receive from India have firm roots in this “City of Light” and “City of Temples” - known as Varanasi.
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June 3rd, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I wonder if any one place is truly holier than another.
Beautiful photos.