The world´s second largest religion, Islam, is practiced by an estimated 1.8 billion people on every continent, and an estimated 3.6 million mosques worldwide, ranging from the humble, workaday and even primitve to the spectacular indeed. Countries with the most mosques include (believe it or not) Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia (which is after all the religion´s birthplace), Turkey, and Yemen. Known in Arabic as a masjid, this is whe
spiritual travel (13)
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
Bhutan, A Mesmerizing Country with Many Sacred Sights
Are you looking for a destination to get rid of the daily hustle and bustle? If so, a pilgrimage tour to Bhutan can be an excellent way to explore its religious sites. In fact, here life for most revolves around ancient Buddhist religious rituals. Bhutan has hundreds of holy monasteries, sacred monuments and religious sites.
Near the capital city, Thimpu, are plenty of well known, peaceful, and all around stunning dzongs and monasteries. The
Returning for its fourth year to Costa Rica’s southern Pacific Coast at Uvita, the Envision Festival will transform the rainforest into a global village of art, music, yoga and spirituality.
Envision 2014 will be held Feb. 20–23 at Rancho La Merced in Uvita, Costa Rica, home of the renowned Ballena Marine National Park, an important migratory site for the world’s Pacific Humpback Whales. Thousands of festival-goers come every year to Costa Rica for the popular multi-day event.
The Envision Festiva
Nepal is an astonishing country with a diverse landscape. Surrounded by the great Himalayas and dotted with gently-flowing rivers and serene lakes, Nepal travel truly mesmerizes its visitors. It is not only a great adventure destination but also a place with much spiritual significance. The birthplace of Lord Buddha, Nepal is filled with numerous gompas and ancient Hindu temples. Many Buddhist and Hindu devotees come to Nepal on pilgrimage tours to seek blessings and pray for salvation. Mention
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
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 Nepal a
Destiny levels with you in ways neither strange nor unpredictable. Strange and unpredictable are the ways Fate tempts you. Living is what is caught in the line of these sparring two. And travel is the referee, drawing a line between the clash of the mind craving for head-on collisions with rare experiences and the body set to an assuring routine. The cruelties you come across will harden you, the wonders will humble you, the hardships will embolden you; nothing will leave you untouched. Travelli
Badrinath is one of the important destinations of chardham circuit. This holiest Hindu city is situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand India. As according to hear and say the Adi Shankaracharya found a statue of Lord Badrinarayan in the river Alaknanda made from Saligram stone. Badrinath was reestablished as a major Hindu pilgrim site in ninth century by Adi Guru Shankaracharya.
The Badrinath is situated between Nar and Narayana mountain ranges and in the shadow of Nilkantha Mountain. It is l
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
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
