The World S Holiest Cities
The third Sunday in January is “World Religion Day”, and to celebrate we’re taking a look at some of the most important cities for the world’s major religions. There is a multitude of religions practiced throughout the world, and with them a multitude of holy cities, but we’re focusing on Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism today.
Lhasa, Tibet
Lhasa is the capital of Tibet, and also its largest city. In addition, it is home to Johkang Temple, the most important temple in Tibetan Buddhism, and has been the spiritual center of the religion for more than a millennium. With more than 1,300 years of cultural and religious history, the city is not only one of the most beautiful in the world but also one of the holiest.
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Bethlehem, Palestine
Identified as the birthplace of Jesus, the West Bank city of Bethlehem is a cultural and religious center of Palestine. A number of churches can be found in the city, with the Church of the Nativity, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, being perhaps the most important. One of the oldest standing churches in the world, it was first built in the 4th century AD by the Roman Emperor Constantine, and has since been rebuilt and renovated many times. Mass is still held in the church on Sundays.
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Varanasi, India
Varanasi is beautiful, magical, and intense. More than a million people visit Varanasi, the City of Light, every year. This is where Hindu pilgrims come to wash their sins away in the sacred waters of the Ganges. This holy place is where many will cremate their loved ones, and where many choose to see the end of their days, in the hopes of liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. It is an overwhelming experience, not for the faint of heart, but truly something worth seeing.
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Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem is a city where tradition and history meet and mingle with modern culture. This vibrant and almost surreal city is holy in Judaism, as it was historically considered the center of the world, the home of God, and the site of the Holy Temple. Islam, too, considers Jerusalem a sacred site, in particular the Dome of the Rock, where it is believed that Mohammed ascended into heaven. And, of course, the city is revered in Christianity as well, where Jesus was presented at temple as a child, and also where he lived and preached as an adult.
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Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The birthplace of the prophet Mohammed, Mecca serves as the spiritual center of Islam. The holy city is off-limits to non-Muslims, and under the pillars of Islam, all Muslims who can afford to do so must undertake Hajj - the pilgrimage to Mecca - with the promise of being cleansed of all their sins on completion. The Vertical museum, just outside Mecca’s restricted zone, is open to people of all faiths and heritages, and is home to an astounding collection of relics, well worth a visit.
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