There are so many different religions around the world. Some are mainstream and are well known to the rest of the world. However, some are more hidden and waiting to be discovered. Regardless of what the personal belief of the individual studying these religions is, there is one thing we must agree on: religions influence the world around us. One of the most beautiful influences of religion is with architecture. Some of the most beautiful and amazing places were built with the idea of ​​religion in mind. In this article I will outline ten sacred religious places that I would personally like to visit. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Our first stop on this pilgrimage is at the Shwedagon Pagoda located in Yangon, Myanmar. This beautiful piece of architecture that lights up the night sky is known by locals as "Shwedagon Zedi Daw The" and is located on top of a hill which allows this building to be 99 meters tall. This Pagoda is known as the oldest in the world at around 2,600 years old! The exact age it was built is not known, however, it is known that this building dates back to the lifetime of the Buddha when it was built by the Mon in the 6th century. There is a legend that this Pagoda came to life thanks to two merchant brothers from Okkalapa, who met the Buddha in India. The Buddha gave the two merchants eight of his hairs, who he ordered to "guard them in the same spot on a hill in Okkalapa where the relics of the Buddha's three previous reincarnations were buried." The merchants brought the hair back to the king and, eventually, the king himself chose a spot on Singuttara Hill where the relics were kept, which is now the Pagoda. This building contains over 7,000 diamonds and rubies to give it a reflective base for when the sun begins to set in the area. Followers of the Buddha make the pilgrimage to see this site at least once. The Buddha has the same meaning for religious believers as the Kaaba in Mecca has for Muslims. To pay homage to the Buddha, visitors must remove their shoes when entering. They are also encouraged to bid and observe. An interesting fact about this Pagoda is that it is said to contain the eight hairs of the Buddha inside it! Participating would be phenomenal, as not only would I be able to observe the beauty of the gold and the building as a whole, but I would also be able to experience the power behind this religion. Hearing Buddha stories from travellers, seeing the eight hairs and more make this a must-see place. Next on our list, we have the Lotus Temple located in New Delhi, India. This temple also has the name Baha'i House of Worship, or Bahai Mashriqul-Adhkar, which is part of the Baha'i faith. This temple reflects the general principle of the Baha'i faith, which is the unity of mankind. While this is in reference to those of the Baha'i faith, anyone, regardless of religious background, is welcome in the temple. The title of this temple is “Dawn of God's Remembrance,” which attracts more than 70 million visitors a year, including ten thousand a day! They uphold the teachings of the Baha'i Lotus Faith, focusing primarily on the “Unity of God, the Unity of Religions and the Unity of Humanity”. The lotus flower is a common religious symbol referencing purity, found in the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Baha'is do not worship any particular deity, but rather the unity of the entire world across all religions. This is extremely interesting, as this religion only wants individuals to live in peace and harmonyand gets along with different religious views. It would give me a unique perspective to talk to the people there and see exactly what backgrounds they have and what brought them to the Lotus Temple. Let's move on to Christianity and visit the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel located in Le Puy-en-Velay, France. The name of this chapel can be translated into “S. Michael on a Needle,” as the rock formation makes the chapel look like a needle. This chapel was originally built on an extinct volcano and is accessed via 268 steps. When you arrive at the chapel, it can be used to meditate, pray or have a moment of self-reflection. Originally in history, a dolmen was built there by the Romans. They dedicated this dolmen to Mercury, who is "the fast messenger god with winged shoes". In the future the Christians replaced that dolmen with the chapel dedicated to St. Michael. This attraction attracts many pilgrims with the beauty of this architectural masterpiece and was also the original starting point of the journey to Santiago de Compostela. The chapel's stonework paints a picture of specific themes from Genesis and Revelation and carries statues of several Christian idols such as St. Peter, the Virgin Mary, and St. John. We also see depictions and theories of the resurrection of the dead, heaven, hell, the Twelve Apostles, angels, and saints. The artwork of this place is undoubtedly the most exciting part for me, however I would also like to talk to the people there to learn more about my religion. I classify myself as a Christian and being able to talk to people who share the same belief as me would allow me to connect and learn with them. The Hagia Sophia located in Istanbul, Turkey is another well-known area of ​​Christian religious significance. The name of this place is translated as “Shrine of the Holy One of God”. The Hagia Sophia was built under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, however, the original order called for it to be built by Constantine. Once built, a fire inside damaged the building, where they rebuilt it when the Roman Emperor Constans I reigned. After the reconstruction, it suffered two more partial collapses, but continues to be rebuilt. Like the Baha'i religion, the Hagia Sophia is a symbol of peace, harmony and religious tolerance towards other religions. Religious tolerance is a huge achievement, as Turkey holds the largest number of people among Muslims, Jews and Christians. After all the collapses and changes the structure has undergone, today it is a museum where millions of people come to embrace its architecture and its vision of religious tolerance, where no one is judged and everyone is respected. I would love to go into the museum and see the amazing works of art that chronicle these different religions, as well as see if they have any history or representation of when the crusaders destroyed the altar and holy icons in this area long ago. We go further to Asia to Shibuya, Tokyo to visit the Meiji Shrine, which represents the Shinto religion. The Shinto religion does not have a founder, a sacred book or even the concept of religious conversion. This shrine values ​​harmony with nature and showcases the divine spirit known as Kami. This shrine is not just a religious matter as it was also dedicated to Emperor Meiji, who is the founder of Japan. Many Shinto festivals and ceremonies take place at Meiji Shrine, the largest of which is the Hatsu mode, which corresponds to the first visit to the shrine of the year on January 1st. This temple is unique in that it pays homage to the founder of Japan. I would also like to talk to people about how they don't worship a specific deity, but rather the concepts of Kami and what exactly Kami is.This would allow me to have a deeper understanding of religion. The Batu Caves located in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia, is a Hindu temple near Kuala Lumpur that has 272 steps to climb before arriving and is a place of pilgrimage for many people who practice Hinduism. These caves have a large golden statue of the god Lord Murugan, who is the Hindu deity of war. Devotees of the religion will come here to make offerings, pray and participate in the various festivals held to celebrate Hindu life. The most famous celebration is Thaipusam, a festival in which people pierce their bodies as a sign of penance. This is a symbol of triumph over evil and the path to follow well. The most common offerings to offer are fruits, flowers, and buckets of milk. For me, seeing this place would allow me to put myself in the shoes of someone who practices Hinduism and truly observe their rituals and religious practices. Now let's make our trip to Ravenna, Italy to visit the Basilica of San Vitale. This architectural masterpiece offers some important pieces of early Christian Byzantine art. Julianus Argentarius, a wealthy individual, financed most of the church to remain open. Inside it houses mosaic medallions of Christ and depicts the Twelve Apostles. There are two very important depictions of Abraham. One of which Abraham's wife, Sarah, awaits him as she brings a calf to some other guests who are at the table, and also the famous story of Abraham preparing to sacrifice his son Isaac, to prove to God that he was completely devoted to him. him. The entire church is filled with tons of artwork with Christian meaning. Since I am Christian, I would like to see artwork depicted, especially with the story of Abraham and his son Isaac, as it would allow me to immerse myself in those times with my faith. It would allow me to feel a part of my religion and share it with others for having made the journey there. The next place of significance houses two religions in one place, symbolizing religious tolerance. The Spanish Synagogue in Josefov, Czech Republic is home to both the Jewish and Muslim faiths. This synagogue was built because of their history, where Spain originally expelled Moors and Jews, forcing them to flee to various other countries in Europe. What is even more interesting is that the synagogue is very respectful of both religions and can accommodate both. For example, in the Quran, one of the laws does not allow directly depicting any person or animal in any sculpture or painting. For this reason, all the figures needed to tell a story are used in geometric shapes rather than physical characteristics. The synagogue is primarily about the Jewish faith, as it explains the history of the Czech Jewish community during the periods of enlightenment and emancipation. It also describes the hardships of the Jews and the Germans, showing stories of the Holocaust and what the Jews had to do to hide from the Germans. In 1942, the Nazis closed the synagogue and most of the staff working there (who were mainly Jewish) were sent to concentration camps. Visitors are taught about the destruction of the Jewish City, the struggles of the Jewish people, and mourn the people who were taken away when it was closed. This synagogue has since been reopened today as a museum with many different concerts. I personally have never been to a museum that shows the struggles of Jews during the Holocaust period and other hardships. It is important to never forget these events and learn about them, as many lives were lost. I would also like to learn about their faith by talking to people, as the Jewish faith is not too far from Christianity. The Boudhanath Stupalocated in Kathmandu, Nepal, it is a beautiful sight to see centered around Buddhism. The most amazing thing is the story involved and how it truly represents all the beliefs of Buddhism, such as the five Buddhas. This Stupa was built in the 14th century after the Munghal invasions and has been a major pilgrimage and meditation destination ever since. The people who come here are Tibetan Buddhists and local Nepalese. If you look at the building from above, it resembles a diagram of the Buddhist cosmos. Inside the structure, the four cardinal points are located using the four Dhyani Buddhas, with the fifth Buddha, Vairocana, in the center of the building. In addition to marking the locations of the Stupa, the five Buddhas also represent the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether. They also have 13 rings that symbolize the path to enlightenment, which is also depicted in the name, as another name for the path is "bodhi". The Stupa celebrates various events, but the most beloved is the Tibetan New Year, also known as “Losar”, which is the largest celebration in all of Nepal. By visiting this place, I can talk to locals about the Buddhist beliefs and values ​​I learned from my religious upbringing. I would also be able to make connections between my learning and the physical artworks and religious sculptures found in this structure. Also, I'd like to ask who lives on the path of enlightenment and what they do to stay on the path. Finally, in my last leg of my pilgrimage, I will visit Angkor Wat, located in northern Cambodia. This structure is considered the largest religious monument in the entire world and is home to the Buddhist religion. In the Khmer language, Angkor Wat translates to “temple city,” and with good reason since the whole structure looks like a ton of temples packed into one city. Although this temple is no longer active due to forest overgrowth and earthquakes, its original purpose was an offering to the Hindu god Vishnu. However, by the end of the 12th century, it became a Buddhist temple. However, Angkor Wat was not always a Buddhist temple. The original ruler at the time was Suryavarman II, who imposed Hinduism as the religion for the entire region of Cambodia. It was later absorbed into Buddhism. The founder of this beautiful temple was a French explorer named Henri Mouhot, who said it was "greater than anything left to us by Greece or Rome." Most Buddhists believe that “the construction of the temple was ordered by the god Indra and that the work was accomplished in one night.” The overall structure of the temple was meant to represent Mount Meru, which is the home of the gods. Even though this temple was conquered by Buddhism, it still represents many Hindu gods within the temple walls and Buddhists. Even if I cannot enter the temple, I would like to visit together with other Hindu and Buddhist individuals the largest religious monument in the world. I would have so many questions about their core beliefs and how to hear the history of the temple and understand the religious significance of the area. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayGrowing my education through this philosophy of religion course, left me extremely intrigued by these religious places and the religions themselves. A lot of learning happens through experience, and while the textbook taught me the basic overview of these religions, being able to physically see and experience it would be an amazing moment in life that I couldn't pass up. If I had the opportunity to visit any sacred places, these would definitely be my top ten. The internet only offers so much.".