Saturday, November 28, 2015
Top 10 Sacred Spots Around The World
Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Australia
The Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal tribe consider this spot holy ground for the very reason that they believe (even still today) that the beautiful natural rock formations, known as sandstone monolith, were created by their ancestors.
They believe that the ancient period and the area are inhabited by the spirits of their forefathers. This breath taking site is located in the northern territory of Australia and preserved by Unesco.
Mount Kailash, Tibet
This site is considered holy ground by four religions; Bon, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Although a beautiful site with its snowcapped mountains, its rugged terrain has hosted thousands of pilgrims at its base.
It is believed that it will bring good fortune, if you can survive the pilgrimage full of fatigue, severe weather, and acrophobia.
Mount Sinai, Egypt
Located in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, this holy site is where Moses was said to have spoken with God.
Thousands of pilgrims climb to the mountain’s summit to stand where Moses stood and numerous groups have erected places of worship. Many believe this holy site to be the home of the most pivotal religious moment in history.
Crater Lake, Oregon
The deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest in the world, this holy spot is legendary to the Native American Klamath tribe.
Formed nearly 8,000 years ago, this tribe believes that a battle between the above world chief and the below world chief led to the destruction of the once standing Mount Mazama.
The deep blue, fresh water lake is beautiful to visit and considered a spiritual spot by many.
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
This spiritual spot is home to the deepest lake in Central America. This beautiful spot is bordered by three volcanoes and many Maya villages.
The local worship of a local idol includes Mayan gods, Catholic saints, and Spanish legends. Ceremonies still take place there today.
Mahabodhi Tree, Bodh Gaya, India
According to Buddhist traditions, around 500 B.C., when the ascetic Prince Siddhartha was wandering through what's now the state of Bihar in India, he took rest under a native bodhi tree. After meditating there for three nights, the prince awoke with enlightenment, insight and the answers he had been seeking, which developed into the teachings he went on to spread to his disciples. Naturally, the place where the Buddha reached enlightenment is one of the most sacred sites for Buddhists, and has been a major pilgrimage destination for centuries. Today, a temple complex surrounds what is believed to be a direct descendant of the original majestic tree itself, which sits in the middle of a courtyard surrounded by protective carved panels. A beautiful Buddha statue under the tree marks the significant spot.
Cenote Sagrado, Mexico
The ancient Maya revered water for its life-sustaining power, and worshiped Chac, the god of rain, because of this awe of H20. Many areas of Mexico are dotted with cenotes—natural underground sinkholes—and the Maya believed that some of these sites were visited by Chac himself. As a result, some cenotes were designated as "sacred" and kept for rituals, offerings and sacrifices, while others were set aside for bathing, drinking and crop water. One of the most notable of the sacred springs is Cenote Sagrado, located near the major Mayan archeological site Chichen Itza in the Yucatan Peninsula. Created from a natural limestone cave, with steep sides stretching about 60 feet above the water line, this cenote was specifically used for ceremonies and occasional sacrifices; for the latter, men, women, and children were thrown in during drought times to appease the water gods. When archeologists dredged the spring in the 20th century, they found gold bells, masks, cups, rings, jade pieces, and more (many from the post-Spanish period) along with human bones.
Glastonbury Tor, England
Rising out of the middle of the Summerland Meadows in Somerset, England, is a hill that has long had magical connection. For centuries, Glastonbury Tor (Celtic for "hill") has been a source of myths: Some ancient Celtic civilizations considered it the entrance to the home of the Gwyn ap Nudd, alternately regarded as Lord of the Underworld and King of Fairies (a theory that resurfaced in the 19th century), while pagans may have used it for ceremonies celebrating the Goddess. Later, the site was considered a possibility for King Arthur's Avalon, since Arthur and Queen Guinevere's coffins were supposedly discovered at the top of the hill in the 12th century. And even more recently, theorists have linked the hill to the quest for the Holy Grail. To further add to all the speculation, archeologists have found remains of seven deep, symmetrical terraces on the hill's slopes, which could be anything from Middle Age crop land to a Neolithic labyrinth. Whatever the history, the hill is still thought to have spiritual energy, as visitors often report feeling more hopeful and positive after a walk on its slopes. Topped by the remains of the 15th century church of St. Michael, the hill is managed by the National Trust of the United Kingdom.
Mount Parnassus, Greece
Towering above Delphi in central Greece, this limestone mountain looms large in Greek mythology. In addition to being sacred to the god Apollo, who often visited the nearby Oracle at Delphi, the mountain was thought to be the residence of the Muses and, as a result, the home of poetry and song. The three Corycian Nymphs, each of whom was romanced by a major god, were born of springs located on Parnassus, and the mountain was also the setting for many minor myths. Today, the only sacred activity takes place on the slopes: The mountain is topped by two popular ski centers and is dotted with scenic hiking trails.
Vortexes, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona, has long drawn people interested in healing, spirituality, mysticism, and metaphysics, who come for more than just the dramatic, red-rock beauty. The area is famous for its vortexes, powerful centers of kinetic energy that can have a deep effect on those who visit them; there are four main ones spread around town, including one near the airport. The ancient Native American Yavapai people knew about these centers, and celebrated this "Great Mother" energy with petroglyph paintings and sacred dwellings.
Source:GloHoliday , Fox News
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