In the 8th century AD, a Rashtrakuta King ordered a rock-cut temple that celebrated Mt. Kailash—which Hindus believe is the Himalayan home of the deity Shiva—to be built in Maharashtra, India. Mt. Kailash was located in a remote corner of Tibet, so the Rashtrakuta ruler wanted to create an accessible pilgrimage spot for devotees of…
In recent years, a 15th century Hindu Temple known as Pura Tanah Lot that is dedicated to the sea god Bhatara Segara has become one of Bali’s most popular destinations. At low tide, visitors can wade through the waters of the Indian Ocean to stand at the entrance of a small temple that is said…
A striking pink, 17-story Buddhist temple in Khlong Mai, Thailand, with a green and gold dragon coiled around its exterior, is a surprisingly obscure destination. The design for Wat Samphranโotherwise known as the Dragon Templeโcame to a member of the Bhavana Buddho sect during an extended fasting meditation. The dragon, whose face looks towards the…
The Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, India looks as though it is straight out of the psychedelic 1960s. The Meenakshi Amman Temple features 14 towers adorned with colorful statues of many-armed deities, lounging cows, and fierce dragons. The colorful temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Meenakshi—otherwise known as Parvati—who is said to have married…
Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain. This beautiful city is drowning in splendid architecture, captivating history and fascinating culture. But, one truly iconic sightseeing spot is Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor. Standing almost 1800 feet above sea level on mount Tibidabo, the temple offers an unforgettable view of Barcelona. Commonly…