The Char Dham Yatra is much more than a regular journey. For many Indian families and spiritual seekers, the pilgrimage to the four revered temples of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath is a cherished experience. These sacred sites, located in the majestic Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, are believed to cleanse one’s soul and offer spiritual…
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 Samphran—otherwise known as the Dragon Temple—came to a member of the Bhavana Buddho sect during an extended fasting meditation. The dragon, whose face looks towards the…
The Paro Taktsang temple complex in Bhutan is perched on a cliff and is one of 13 small monasteries where the Buddhist master, Padmasambhava, meditated in the 8th century. Padmasambhava is regarded as a holy figure in Bhutan and Tibet, where he is credited with spreading Tantric Buddhism in the 700s. According to legend, Padmasambhava…
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…
While it may not be one of the most popular travel destinations worldwide, Myanmar is definitely one of the most magical countries. Here, right next to the Inle Lake, lies an impressive series of history sightseeing objectives that would make anybody feel like they are part of a fairytale. Even though it is somehow difficult…
