Thailand´s capital is an amazing destination packed with all kinds of sensory experiences, and near the top of the list is the cultural/historical heritage represented by its Theravada Buddhist temples, and here´s a quartet not to miss when you visit Bangkok, all with nominal entrance fees.
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Completed in 1785, the city´s most visited and sacred temple is known for its Buddha figurine in the lotus position, 66 centimeters (26 inches) tall and carved f
Makkah is the city where the religion Islam emerged. It is considered the first holiest place in the world. Makkah is the birthplace of the last Islamic Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Makkah is the heart of Islam. Makkah is usually known as the fountainhead and Cradle of Islam. The largest annual gathering (Hajj) of the World happens in Makkah. Muslims visit Makkah to perform Hajj and Umrah in the holy House of ALLAH “the Kabaa”. In Ramadan, the reward of good deeds increases in the proportion to virtue
PatricioHidalgoP
For years I had this kinda funny (as in funky, not ha-ha) tree growing right smack in the middle of my front yard in Miami. It was admittedly not a particularly cuddly or friendly looking bit of botany, its trunk dramatically prickling all over as it is with stubby conical thorns. But for me it’s all about the mystique, being as it is a ceiba (English names include “kapok,” “silk cotton,” and “silk floss”). This is a genus of tropical flora which though found as far afield as
Clipped Notes
The introduction of Christianity into Ethiopia dates back to the apostolic era. The book of Acts, chapter 8:27 – 38, tell us that Saint Philip, the Apostle baptized the Ethiopian Eunuch – treasure of Candace Queen of Ethiopia. When he returned to Ethiopia, he spread the good news of the Gospel. When Christianity was accepted as a state religion during the reign of Ezana, the Axumite king of Ethiopia in the 4th century, there was no resistance and bloodshed as happened in some othe
During the early 1800s, central and western New York State were called the “burned-over” district because so many religious groups were formed during this time period. The term came from the idea that there were so few of the unconverted population (referred to as the "fuel") left to be converted or "burned" that the area had been “burned-over.” The Mormon religion is the best known of the many religious groups formed during this time period; but the Oneida Society also began during this perio
This post will cover the two most spiritual things I have ever experienced. I was deeply moved by both of them. Bhutan is a deeply Buddhist country. I have mentioned before that if I ever decided to convert, as if I were disciplined enough to try, it would be in Bhutan. I found that the Tantrayana sect of Buddhism appeals to me for some reason I cannot fathom. Maybe it is just that it seems unspoiled by outside influences, much like Bhutan itself.
On the longest touring day in our itinerary we dr
Remanz
In the Western Hemisphere, the religions brought over by African slaves have been part of the scene for centuries in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and most famously Haiti. But until not many years ago, they were largely condemned by the Roman Catholic church and dismissed as “ignorant” and “low-class” by all but the poor. But I’ve had the chance to observe various aspects of its Cuban variants, both on the island and in South Florida, and whether one believes in it
When you think of travel to Bulgaria, what comes to mind first? For me, one of the cool things about visiting this fetching little Balkan country is its touches of exoticism, part of an ancient cultural heritage that stretches back to 5,000 BC, and of of the features which I find most noticeable is its Eastern Orthodox churches. As with church architecture in Russia, here you’ll find plenty of onion domes, but in Bulgaria you’ll also spot features you won’t find in Russia, such as arches influe
There are many holy places located in India. Among them, this is the sacred land where pilgrims come to find God. It is the ‘Gateway of God’, which will enchant you with its interesting mythology and legends. It stands one among the four places on earth where immortality elixir fell from the pitcher of Gods. If you still haven’t got the city mentioned here, then it is Haridwar-one of the most religious cities in India. This great place is where the holy River Ganga enters the Indo-Gangetic plain
At a height of around 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) up in the Himalaya Mountains, the capital of Nepal (pop. 2.5 million) remains an exotic magnet for travelers from all over the world looking to quench their wanderlust, whether they visit independently or with Kathmandu tour packages. And for very good reason this is dubbed "the city of temples" - most of them of the 80-percent-majority Hindu religion but also sites very important to Buddhism, especially as this region is hel
As in Islam, in the Hindu religion there are pilgrimages (yatra) which each of the faithful should complete once in a lifetime to cleanse themselves spiritually and achieve Moksha (salvation). The greatest is the Char Dham Yatra (Four Abodes Pilgrimage), to temples in Puri (Odisha state), Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu), Dwarka (Gujarat), and Badrinath (Uttarhand).
But there is also an important yatra just in Uttarakhand state, India's northernmost, in the Garhwal Himalayas bordering Nepa
Istanbul is a city of many fascinating and fun things to see and do. With its captivating ancient culture, delicious cuisine, and distinct neighborhoods, you can never experience a dull day in Istanbul. Here are the top things to do in Istanbul.
Hagia Sophia
Perhaps the most famous mosque in Istanbul (and the world, for that matter), it was built in 537 BCE during the Byzantine Empire as a Greek Orthodox church (and the world's largest building). When Turkey became Islamicized
That Friday, when the Lord was on the Cross, an angel named Ourael took the blood of Christ in a glittering cup and sprinkled it all over the Earth. All grounds that received a drop of the holy blood were chosen to be sanctified and blessed places to establish churches on them and made them their holy seats. So Ethiopian Orthodox Church history recounts.
The following writings are to give histories and descriptions about the churches and monasteries scattered all over Ethiopia. Read those words
