The most Holy places of the world
The most Holy places of the world
On our planet there are more than 25 thousand religious movements and cults. And each of these religions has its own Holy places . marked some very important spiritual event or imprinted in the Scriptures. The number of such Holy places is very difficult to count, and enjoyed every one of them and it is not possible. But in the world there are two cities that are considered the most sacred of all is Jerusalem (Israel) and Varanasi (India). Each of these Holy places revered in three religions . Jerusalem is a sacred city for Jews, Christians and Muslims. Varanasi is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Both these Holy places attract thousands of pilgrims, eager to see every one to his own Shrine.
This city is a real stumbling block in the relations between Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Tens of thousands of adherents of each of these religions were killed for possession of their Holy place in Jerusalem. The war over Jerusalem began all historical epochs, and political strife because of it does not cease to this day.
Jews consider Jerusalem their Holy place, for obvious reasons: it is the city where king Solomon built the first Temple – the main Shrine of Judaism and the Jewish personification of the status of God’s chosen people. The first Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, rebuilt the Second Temple brave before the Foundation of the Roman Emperor Titus, the construction of the Third Temple Jews have been waiting for almost 2 thousand years. The rebuilding of the Temple to the Jews is tantamount to coming of heaven, because only then their sufferings and wanderings will be finished, and Israel will reign over the Nations.
Muslims call Jerusalem a Holy place, because over the Temple Mount, where once stood the Jewish Temple, the prophet Muhammad met with Allah . In the words of Mohammed himself, once in his dreams he placed the winged horse. Located on the Temple Mount, the prophet saw above him the heavens opened, and opened the road to the Throne of the Lord. The prophet almost no one believed, while he does not exactly describe Jerusalem, although I’ve never been there. Muslims conquered Jerusalem in the seventh century, and immediately built a mosque on the Holy site of the ascension of the prophet.
Every Christian knows why Jerusalem is the most sacred place on earth: on the hill of Calvary near Jerusalem Jesus was crucified Christ . There the Son of God was buried, and rose again. Now in the Holy place of his crucifixion is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where every year on Easter day falls on the land of Holy fire.
The most sacred place in India, Varanasi is located in the North-Eastern part of the country and is the most popular place of pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Hindus believe that this Holy place was built by Lord Shiva about five thousand years ago . It even is a half-submerged temple, where, according to legend, sometimes sleeping Shiva. Varanasi is full of temples and shrines, many of whom are Jain. The majority of the population of the city works for the benefit of pilgrims and maintain order in the churches. In addition, Hindus believe that Holy is the best place to care in another world . Rich and poor Indians flock here from all over the country in the presentiment of death. It is believed that if the Indian can die on the stone steps that descend to the Ganges, and his ashes be scattered on the great river Goddess Ganga will carry his soul to heaven and forever be free from the wheel of samsara.
Buddhist believe Varanasi is a Holy place for somewhat different reasons. According to historical records, the suburb of Varanasi, Sarnath Buddha Shakyamuni after his enlightenment for the first time revealed to the disciples the Four Noble Truths . turning the “wheel of Doctrine”. Later on this Holy place was built a grandiose temple complexes and monasteries of many Buddhist traditions . Needless to say that in Sarnath there is no release from pilgrims and tourists.
Thus, Jerusalem and Varanasi – the two most Holy places on earth, because they are the main spiritual centers for a vast amount of different religions and nationalities. The traveler who visited these two cities, can proudly assert that saw the most Holy places of the planet.