Archive for March, 2010

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    Be among the Fortunate Ones to View the Promised Land from the Holy Mount Nebo
    Located at 6 miles from Madaba in Jordan facing the Dead Sea at the northern tip, Mount Nebo is sacred mountain with 1000 m of height from where Moses viewed the Promised Land prior to his death. Due to this event, it is of great significance for the Christian pilgrims. Ascending from the Jordan Valley, Mount Nebo is the Biblical site from where you can become Moses and view the magnificent vistas of the Promised Land. Noteworthy remains of an early church and its stunning Byzantine mosaics have been found during the excavations by the Franciscans. On this dug site, a plain, but contemporary shield is built in honor of Moses. In 2000, Pope John Paul II came on his pilgrimage here and planted an olive tree as a sign of peace besides the Byzantine chapel. Mount Nebo Attractions Modern Sculpture: Made by an Italian artist on the summit’s  [...]
    Posted at March 25th, 2010 in Sacred Mountains
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    Mount Fuji – Sacred Place in Japan
    Mount Fuji (Fuji-san), the cone-shaped dormant volcano in Tokyo, is so named after the Buddhist fire Goddess Fuchi and is the home of the holy Shinto shrine of the Goddess Sengen-Sama at its pinnacle. Geographically, it is the highest mountain in the country at 12,388 feet and the most sacred among its ‘Three Holy Mountains’. Its dimensions are stunning with 25-30 miles of diameter, 78 miles of circumference, 1600 feet of the crater diameter, and 820 feet of the crater’s depth. Clearly visible from Tokyo in the west and situated in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the mountain is enclosed by five lakes namely, Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Yamanakako, Lake Saiko, Lake Motosuko, and Lake Shojiko. As compared to other holy mountains, a hike to Mount Fuji is not considered impious. In fact, thousands of pilgrims and visitors trek to  [...]
    Posted at March 24th, 2010 in Sacred Mountains
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    Praising the Holiest Mount Agung and Pura Besakih of Bali
    Located on the island of Bali in Indonesia, the volcano Agung is the sacred mountain rising until 3148 m on whose slopes at 1000 m, the largest and utmost important Mother Temple of Besakih or Pura Besakih resides. It is now a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The holy Pura Besakih is the only temple that welcomes a Hindu of any class. Built in the 10th century, it is a complex holding 22 temples on corresponding edges. The three main temples are devoted to the trinity Hind Gods – Lord Shiva (Perpetuator of Truth), Brahma (Creator of Universe), and Vishnu (Perpetuator of Life). Around these, there are some 18 sanctuaries of different castes. Erected prior to 1000 AD and containing stepped terraces, the temple was once a terraced edifice committed to the dragon god Besakih who is thought to reside on the holy Mount Agung. Legend According  [...]
    Posted at March 24th, 2010 in Sacred Mountains
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    Did You Know that Emei Shan is the Highest Holy Buddhist Mountain in China?
    Emei Shan, called Emeishan, Mt. O-mei, or Mt. Emei; is the highest holy mountain among the four devoted to Buddhism in China. Perched at a height of 3,099 m in the Szechuan province, Mt. Emei is now a part of the World Heritage Site due to its mind-blowing panorama, secret natural marvels, and historical Buddhist spots. Its slopes welcome varied climatic conditions and exotic wildlife where trees over 1,000 years old are still maintained well, and inhabitants since 10000 years. Ah! I found myself lucky to be amidst the naturally and religiously blessed Chinese land. The Emei Shan mountain was originally a Taoist haven, but in 3rd century A.D. converted into a sacred Buddhist mountain. The name of the sacred mountain means “Delicate Eyebrow Mountain” that is given because of the two peaks facing each other appearing as  [...]
    Posted at March 23rd, 2010 in Sacred Mountains
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    The Kedarnath Temple is the Home of Lord Shiva
    The Kedarnath Temple, surrounded by the snowy ranges in the holy Garhwal Himalayas, is one of most sacred Hindu shrines committed to Lord Shiva, the Perpetuator of Truth. It is of utmost importance due to its presence as one of the sites in the Chhota (Small) Char Dham (Four Sites) pilgrimage circuit. Located in the Uttar Kashi district in the Uttaranchal state of India near the Mandakini River, this temple is enshrined with one of the 12 Jyotilingas, the Lingas of Light, known to be the phallic form of Lord Shiva. Built in the 8th century by JagatGuru, Shree Adi Shankaracharya, the Kedarnath temple is only open for worship from April to November due to harsh weather in the remaining time of winter in the year. After closure, the head priest (Rawal) who moves towards Ukhimath at 60 km to worship Kedareshwara, Lord of the Kedar Khand  [...]
    Posted at March 23rd, 2010 in Hindu Temples
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    Let’s Worship a Living Goddess in the Kumari Ghar in Nepal
    Located in the Durbar Square of the Nepal’s capital – Kathmandu, the Kumari Ghar is the brick edifice of three storeys where the living goddess resides. It is tough to believe so, but yes, it is a fact. The temple was constructed in 1757 by King Jaya Prakash Malla who was famous for his fear and weakness. It is said that once he offended a Kumari (a virgin young girl) due to which he repented for his terrible mistake and therefore built this sacred abode as an apology. Rejuvenated in 1966, this House of Living Goddess is famous for its divine beliefs, celestial resident, and spectacular carvings. The Living Goddess This is referred to the Kumari, a young girl, who is alleged to be the embodiment of the Hindu Goddess, Durga (Goddess of Power and Destroyer of Evils). In Nepal, you will find some 11 kumaris, but the Kumari Devi  [...]
    Posted at March 22nd, 2010 in Hindu Temples
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    Revering the Sun God at the Sun Temple Konark
    The Sun Temple in the village of Konark (also Konarak) is a sacred temple devoted to the Sun God, Surya, and is located at 35 km from the holy city of Puri in Orissa on the Bay of Bengal’s shore. Designated as the world Heritage Site in 1984, the temple’s overall structure is that of a huge chariot symbolizing the divine vehicle of the Sun God and its fine stone carvings attracts thousands of visitors across the globe. History/Legend Built in 1250 A.D. by the King Narasimhadeva, the Sun Temple Konark marked his military successes versus the Muslim intruders. Based on a local legend, the temple is believed to possess a great atmospheric power whose source are the two great magnets built in the temple’s tower, which actually made the king’s throne to float in the air. Not only this, but the European sailors, utilizing  [...]
    Posted at March 22nd, 2010 in Hindu Temples
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    Tell Me about Medinet Habu
    Known as the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III, Medinet Habu is its Arabic identity. Located in Theban Necropolis (Luxor) in Egypt at 4 miles from Valley of the Kings on the Western Nile Bank, it is a vast complex considered after the temple of Karnak in size. Its well maintained state certainly deserves more admiration and visitors than what it is obtaining currently. Although the great pharoahs’ tombs are in the Valley of the Kings, they built grand mortuary temples in their memory and to honor the sacred cult. Ramses III (1186-1155 BC) was the second pharaoh of the Dynasty XX and his tomb is in Kings Valley 11, but Medinet Habu is dedicated to him. Considered quite holy even before Ramses, the location, even today, is believed by the local farmers to hold miraculous powers. Since its early time, the statues of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu  [...]
    Posted at March 19th, 2010 in Egyptian Temples & Tombs
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    Wat Phnom – The Buddhist Temple of Powerful Spirits
    Perched on a grassy hilltop at 27 m near the Tonle Sap River, Wat Phnom, meaning the Hill Temple, is the main Buddhist temple that is the only attraction in the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. The legend says that a wealthy widow woman called Penh discovered a large koki tree in the Mekong River that she wanted to use to build a house. However, she found four bronze statues of Lord Buddha and a stone statue of Hindu Lord Vishnu in its hollow. Therefore, to safeguard them, the lady built a small shrine on the hill, which gradually became a holy sanctuary for wishes and prayers of luck and success whose fulfillment is thanked by the offering of a garland of jasmine or bananas liked by the spirits. Since then, the place is named as the Phnom Penh meaning the Penh’s Hill. Another legend says that King Ponhea Yat (1405-67) built  [...]
    Posted at March 19th, 2010 in Buddhist Temples
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