Holiest Places on Earth

Everywhere you go you see churches from different religions. Places of worship of different faiths. Places where you can contemplate in peace. But do you know which of these are considered the most holy of all? A place which is the mother of all worshiping sites? Check the list below and if you have budget and time, I strongly suggest you visit them or at least the holiest place of the religion you are currently practicing.

Ka'ba
Saudi Arabia

The Ka'ba (Arabic الكعبة; also spelled al-Ka‘bah or Kaaba) is a small building shaped like a cube that is made of granite. This builiding houses the mysterious black stone which is considered holy in the Islam Religion. The Ka'ba is located inside the courtyard of al-Haram Mosque in Mecca.

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St. Peter's Basilica
Rome

St. Peter's Basilica (Italian: San Pietro in Vaticano) is the largest church ever built and is the holiest site for Christian Catholic Religion. In front of the church is the very famous St. Peter's Square. It has two beautiful fountains and an obelisk, which dates from 13th-century BC Egypt and was brought to Rome in the 1st century to stand in Nero's Circus

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Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Israel

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, known as the Church of the Resurrection (Anastasis) to Eastern Orthodox Christians is the holiest Christian site of the world. It stands in a site where Jesus was crucified (Calvary) and the tomb (Sepulchre) where He was buried. The exterior facade of the church at the east side where built by the Crusaders.

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Church of St. Mary of Zion
Ethiopia

The 17th-century Church of St. Mary of Zion in Axum which stands next to the chapel that houses the Ark of the Covenant. The design of the church has a Syrian influence. Its interior has different murals and paintings while its exterior is like a fortress to protect it from thieves and robbers.

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Temple Mount
Israel

The Temple Mount (Hebrew: Har haBáyit) or Noble Sanctuary (Arabic: Haram esh-Sharif) is a elevated plateau in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is currently governed by Wagf, a Supreme Muslim Religious Council. This place is quite unique because it is the only place I believe that is holy for Jews, Christians and Muslims. For Muslims, it is the site of the Prophet Muhammad's journey to heaven described in the Qur'an and Christians revere it as a place frequently visited by Jesus

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Golden Temple of Amritsar

India

The Harmandir Sahib (or Hari Mandir) in Amritsar Punjab, is the holiest shrine in Sikhism. The most famous and sacred part of the Golden Temple complex is the Hari Mandir (Divine Temple) or Darbar Sahib (Court of the Lord), which is the beautiful golden structure at the center of a large body of water. The gold-plated building features copper cupolas and white marble walls encrusted with precious stones arranged in decorative Islamic-style floral patterns.

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Al-Masjid Al-Haram
Saudi Arabia

Al-Masjid al-Haram ("The Holy Mosque"; also known as al-Haram Mosque, Haram al-Sharif, Masjid al-Sharif and the Haram) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the holiest mosque in the world and the primary destination of the Hajj pilgrimage. The mosque complex covers an area of 356,800 square meters and can accommodate up to 820,000 worshippers during the Hajj.

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Western Wall
Israel

The Western Wall (Ha-Kotel Ha-Ma'aravi) in Jerusalem is the holiest of Jewish sites, sacred because it is a remnant of the Herodian retaining wall that once enclosed and supported the Second Temple. The sides of the Herodian monumental ashlars have been carved with such precision that they rest perfectly against and on top of each other, without mortar.

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Pashupatinath Temple
Nepal

Pashupatinath, or Pashupati, is a Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan. It is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (Lord of Animals). It attracts thousands of pilgrims each year. The temple is barred to non-Hindus, but a good view of the temple can be had from the opposite bank of the river.

On both sides of its door are niches of various sizes containing gold-painted images of guardian deities.

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The Great Mosque of Kairouan
Tunesia

Every city in Tunisia has a Great Mosque, but the Great Mosque in Kairouan is the most important of all. It is the oldest Muslim place of worship in Africa and is commonly regarded as the fourth holiest site in Islam (after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem). The exterior of the Great Mosque of Kairouan, with buttressed walls, is in the typically austere Aghlabid design, but the grand minaret indicates the buildings significance and the mosque becomes far more impressive upon entering.

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Salt Lake Temple
USA

The Salt Lake Temple is a Mormon temple located in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. It was the fourth Mormon temple to be dedicated and stands on a site selected by the Mormon prophet Brigham Young. Because of its historical significance and location at church headquarters, the Salt Lake Temple is the most important temple for Mormons, attracting many Latter-Day Saint pilgrims. It is also central to Salt Lake City, literally: streets are numbered according to their distance from the temple. The Salt Lake Temple is made of granite quarried from a canyon 20 miles south of Salt Lake City. Its six-spire design is based in the Gothic style, but the overall design is unique and symbolic.

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Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Thailand

The holiest shrine in northern Thailand, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (also spelled Wat Phratat Doi Suthep) was founded in 1386 under miraculous circumstances. Wat Doi Suthep is approached by a steep flight of 300 stairs flanked by green trees and guarded by 16th-century Naga (snake) figures. The temple is part of Doi Suthep National Park, a richly forested area supporting some 330 species of birds. The park also includes Phuping Palace and Mon Tha Than Falls, the later believed by some to contain evil spirits.

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Delos
Greece

As the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, the Greek island of Delos (Greek: Δηλος; Dhílos, "Brilliant") was a major sacred site for the ancient Greeks. At its height, the sacred island was covered in a variety of temples and sanctuaries dedicated to a variety of gods. Today, it is a fascinating archaeological site. The ruins of ancient Delos extend north and south along the coast and consist of four main areas: the Maritime Quarter (next to the harbor); Theater District (southeast of the harbor); Sanctuary of Apollo (north of the harbor in the center of the site); and Lion District (north end of the ruins).

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The Prophet's Mosque

Saudi Arabia
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Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Arabic: المسجد النبوي) or the Prophet's Mosque is a great mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia. It stands on the site of a mosque built by the Prophet Muhammad himself next to his house and contains his tomb. As it stands today, the Prophet's Mosque has a rectangular plan on two floors with the Ottoman prayer hall projecting to the south. The main prayer hall occupies the entire first floor. The mosque enclosure is 100 times bigger than the first mosque built by the Prophet and can accommodate more than half a million worshippers
.

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Jokhang Temple
Tibet

Jokhang Temple ("House of the Lord") in Lhasa is the holiest site in Tibetan Buddhism, attracting crowds of prostrating Tibetan pilgrims and curious foreign tourists every year. It hosts the annual Great Prayer Festival, as well as all ceremonies of initiation for the Dalai Lama and Panchen Llamas. Tourists can only tour Jokhang Temple in the afternoon; the morning is reserved for pilgrims. The best way to experience the temple is to arrive at 8am to watch the pilgrims perform their devotions, then visit the interior in the afternoon.

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Eyup Sultan Mosque
Turkey

The Eyüp Sultan Mosque is the holiest site in Istanbul and one of the most sacred places in the Islamic world. Eyüp is a popular spot animated by the small bazaar nearby, crowds relaxing by the spray of the fountains, and little boys in blue and white satin celebrating their impending circumcisions. Unfortunately, it's a natural magnet for beggars as well.

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Varanasi
India

Varanasi (also known as Benares, Banaras, Kashi and Kasi) is a Hindu holy city on the banks of the Ganges River in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the site of the holy shrine of Lord Kasi Viswanatha (a form of Lord Shiva) and is one of the revered 12 Jyotirlingas (linga of light). It is considered the most sacred place for all Hindus, irrespective of denomination.

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Wat Phra Kaew
Thailand

Wat Phra Kaew ("Temple of the Holy Jewel Image"), also spelled Wat Phra Kaeo and commonly known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located on the ground of the Royal Palace in Bangkok. It is the most revered Buddhist shrine in Thailand. Central to the temple is the Emerald Buddha, a dark green statue standing about 2 feet tall. No one is allowed near the statue except the Thai king, who conducts rituals at the temple throughout the year. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha sits within the grounds of the Bangkok Grand Palace, surrounded by walls more than a mile long. Inside, it contains some of the finest examples of Buddhist sculpture, architecture, painting, and decorative craft in Thailand.

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Holy Trinity Lavra
Russia

The Holy Trinity Lavra or Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra (Trinity-Sergius Monastery) is the spiritual center of Russian Orthodox Christianity. Founded in 1345 by St. Sergius of Radonezh and containing his relics, Holy Trinity is located in the city of Sergiyev Posad (formerly known by the Soviet name Zagorsk) about 45 miles northeast of Moscow. The heart of Holy Trinity Lavra is the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Troitsky sobor), built in the 1420s and distinguished by its gleaming-white exterior topped with gold domes. It contains the revered holy relics of St. Sergius in its southeast corner.

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Abydos
Egypt

For the Ancient Egyptians, Abydos was one of the holiest sites in the world. As the cult center of the god Osiris and gateway to the underworld (believed to lie under the nearby hills), it was a popular place of pilgrimage and burial. The main monument at Abydos is the Temple of Seti I, built around 1300 BC by Seti and his son Ramses II. It is especially notable for its fine reliefs, considered among the best of the New Kingdom. The site of Abydos is huge, and includes a number of ruins and mounds around the edge of the desert. Most visitors, however, stick to the grand Temple of Seti I because of time and police restrictions.

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Mt. Kailash
Tibet

Mt. Kailash or Mt. Kailas (Tibetan: Gang Tise or Gang Rinproche; Chinese: Gangdisi Shan) is a sacred mountain for four faiths: Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and followers of the indigenous Tibetan religion of Bön. Next to the mountain are two sacred lakes. Mt. Kailash rises to 22,028 feet (6,714 m) in one of the highest and most rugged parts of the Himalayas. Made of black rock, the symmetrical peak has a distinctive diamond-like shape with four steep facades. The south face has a vertical gash across its horizontal layers, creating the appearance of a swastika - an ancient symbol of good luck in this part of the world.

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Mt. Agung and Pura Besakih
Indonesia

The volcanic Mt. Agung (Gunung Agung) is holiest mountain on the island of Bali in Indonesia. It is also home to the important Mother Temple of Besakih, the largest and holiest temple in Bali. The great Mount Agung rises to an altitude of 3,148 meters (10,308 feet) in eastern Bali. Perched on its slopes about 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) in altitude is the holy Besakih Temple, Mother Temple of Bali.

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Mother Church of Christian Science
USA

The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, also known as the Mother Church, is the world headquarters of the Christian Science faith, founded in 1875 by Mary Baker Eddy. The Christian Science complex in Boston incorporates a variety of buildings, including the original Mother Church (1894), the larger extension (1906), and an impressive urban plaza with reflecting pool designed by I.M. Pei (1960s). The windows' subject matter is interesting - instead of the more typical apostles and biblical stories, they emphasize the themes of healing, resurrection and women's religious leadership. The center of the Rose Window features Eddy's Science and Health rendered in stained glass.

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Mahabodhi Temple
India

The Mahabodhi (Great Enlightenment) Temple is a Buddhist stupa located in Bodhgaya, India. It is the most sacred site in Buddhism and visited regularly by both Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims (many Hindus honor the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu). The central tower of Mahabodhi stands 180 feet (54 meters) tall. The brickwork on the outside of the temple depicts scenes from the life of the Buddha. Inside the temple is a colossal image of a seated Buddha touching the earth with his right hand (a gesture known as the earth-witness mudra. In this temple you can also find the most sacred tree in Buddhism, the Bodhi Tree.

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Sanctuary of Apollo
Greece

Located amidst breathtaking scenery in central Greece, the Sanctuary of Apollo at Ancient Delphi was the most important sacred site in the Greek world. Revered as early as 1500 BC, the sacred precinct was home to the famous Oracle, in which the god himself counseled his people through the mouth of an intoxicated priestess.

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Pics and List Courtesy of Sacred Desitinations

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