Located in the monumental complex named Roman Forum in central Italy, the Temple of Castor and Pollux is an ancient shrine dedicated to the twin sons (Dioscuri) of Leda and Zeus (Jupiter) – the mortal Castor and the immortal Pollux. The temple honored both the great beings who were responsible for the victory at the battle of Lake Regillus in 495 B.C. History/Legend After the sect of Castor and Pollux arrived in Italy through the Greek culture of the south, the twins were honored for their victory in the Battle of Lake Regillus. As per the legend, the two young ones magically emerged on white horses on July 15 at the battle against Latins to help the Romans. After the victory, they were seen at the spring of Juturna next to the current Roman Forum watering their horses after which they declared the victory of the Romans. After  [...]

Located on the banks of the Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is the sacred site for its myriad of temples, some 100 ghats, and traditional rituals. Also called Banaras and Kashi (the luminous one), it is home to the sacred shrine of Lord Kashi Vishwanath, a form of Lord Shiva, residing in form of one of its 12 Jyotilingas (Linga of Light). According to legend, the Lord Shiva discovered the city prior to 5,000 years, which since then has been the significant site of pilgrimage in India among the seven sacred Hindu cities. The term Varanasi is given to this holy town due to the confluence of two tributaries namely Varuna and Asi meeting the Ganges on the shore. Surprisingly, the city is coined with different names or titles as the Religious Capital of India and the City of Learning. As far as its learning aspect  [...]

Well maintained in the English city of Bath, the Roman Baths comprise of the remainders of the Temple of Aquae Sulis, Roman baths lying underneath the lane level of the modern city and filled due to the holy hot spring, and an attractive museum of relics. Among all these parts, the main attraction is the sacred spring whose waters of 460 degree Celsius increases by 1,170,000 liters daily since its origin, which is marked as the phenomenon of the gods. Built by the Celts, originally, the shrine next to the springs was dedicated to the goddess Sulis who was considered to be the Roman Goddess Minerva following the Roman raid. Continued with the name of Sulis, the ancient town was also named as Aquae Sulis (waters of Sulis) along with the shrine. Even today, the bath complex is known for the goddess’ miraculous powers of curing and  [...]

Located on the frontier amidst Peru and Bolivia besides Copacabana, Lake Titicaca is famous for its blue beauty and spiritual significance in the Incan mythology. According to Incas, the creator God Viracoca emerged from the lake making it holy to create the world. Just a short time ago, a large temple was found sunken in the lake that was in alignment with the known belief. The lake is among the largest, highest, and deepest lake on the planet. Legend Following a devastating flood, the god Viracocha occurred from the Lake Titicaca to create the sun (Inti), moon (Mama Kilya), and stars. Then, he proceeded towards Tiahuanaco to bring the first human beings into existence named Mallku Kapac and Mama Ocllo. These were the Inca Adam and Eve made from stone, who were ordered by the creator God to inhabit the world. Therefore, Lake Titicaca  [...]

El Fuerte de Samaipata is an ancient archaeological site located in Santa Cruz Department, Florida Province, Bolivia. It is situated in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountain and is a big tourist attraction in South America. The unique site features a stone hill carved with a variety of figures, of animals like jaguars, snakes and cats and geometric figures, and has been designated a World Heritage Site. Samaipata, located in the department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, lies about 120 kilometres to the southwest of the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The inner area of the site has been cordoned off to prevent damage being caused by visitors as well as erosion caused by the waterfall. The site is under the supervision of Stonewatch, a non profit society and academy for conservation and documentation of rock art. History: Samaipata  [...]

Situated in the south-central province of Oregon in the U.S, the Crater Lake is a caldera lake popular for its deep blue and crystal clear waters. Apart from being a magnificent lake in the Cascade Range, it is also a holy lake for the Klamath tribe of the Native Americans. It is the prime attraction in the Crater Lake National Park and that is moderately fills a caldera of about 655 m deep formed before 7,700 years due to the disintegration of the volcanic Mazama. Legend/History Created near 4680 BC, the lake was the result of the eruption of the volcanic Mount Mazama that was 42 times more powerful as compared to blast of the Mount St. Helens in 1980. The Klamath Indian tribe of the Native Americans since centuries has regarded the lake as a sacred site. It proclaims that such belief comes from their ancestors who have seen the  [...]

As introvert as god and as white as a winter moon, Mount Shasta is the second highest peak in the Cascade Range in northern California. Hidden in glaciers and unveiling grand lenticular cloud pattern, Mount Shasta is the young stratovolcano that is evident from its sharp conical top. Shaped like a four cones piled upon each other among the southernmost volcanoes in the Cascades, its largest subordinate peak is Shastina that is also the third highest pinnacle in the range. With the last eruption recorded in 1786; the sulphur springs next to its pinnacle does now allow one to ensure that it has become dormant forever. Its fame is spread far and wide such that it was judge against Mount Fuji of Japan on the basis of its permanent magnificence and holy significance. Worshipped by the Native Americans living in the area, the mountain  [...]

Pashupatinath or Pashupati Temple (‘Temple of Living Beings) is a famous Hindu pilgrimage located on the banks of Bagmati River in Deopatan village, located just 3 km northwest of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The temple is dedicated to Pashupati (Lord of Animals) or Lord Shiva. Thousands of Hindu devotees pay visit to Pashupati Temple every year from various parts of the world. Non-Hindus are, however, barred from entering the temple. Pashupati Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. About the temple: Pashupatinath Temple is located in an open courtyard at the centre of Deopatan. The temple is a square, two-tiered pagoda temple built on a single-tier platform and reaches 23.6 meters above the ground. The temple structure is adorned with richly ornamented gilt and silver-plated doors. The temple has a sanctum that contains  [...]

Jokhang Temple (‘Dazhao Si’ or ‘House of the Lord’) is the holiest site of Tibetan Buddhists and is located at Barkhor Square in Lhasa. It is also known as ‘Tsuklakang’. Every year, scores of Tibetan pilgrims and foreign tourists pay visit to this attractive tourism destination in Tibet. The temple is four-storied tall and is spread over an area of 25,000 square metres. Temple: The temple exterior is decorated with deer and wheel motifs, the early symbols of Buddhism representing Lord Buddha’s first sermon. The interior of the temple is dark and features labyrinth of chapels dedicated to various gods and bodhisattvas. Although the temple has been rebuilt at various junction of time, its original elements remain the same. The Newari door frames, columns and finials date back to the 7th and 8th centuries AD. History: Jokhang  [...]

Boudhanath Stupa (also called Boudha, Boudhanath, Bodhnath or the Khâsa Caitya) is one of the holiest Buddhist sites located on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. It is in fact the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. Boudhanath Stupa is called Khâsti by Newars and Bauddha or Bodh-nâth by the modern speakers of Nepali. The culture in and around the stupa  remains Himalayan with a strong presence of Tibetans and Sherpas, and this can be found from several restaurants selling Tibetan food like momos and thukpa. History: Some says Boudhanath was founded by the Nepalese Licchavi king Úivadeva while others opine its origin dating back to King Mânadeva (464-505 CE). Tibetan sources claim a mound on the site was excavated in the late 15th or  [...]