Top 10 Best Exploring Asia’s Best Pilgrimage Sites is home to a wide variety of religious customs and practices as one of the most culturally varied continents in the world. Asia’s top pilgrimage destinations are likely to capture your interest, whether you are a devoted devotee or merely curious about other cultures. Newstipss will tell the top 10 pilgrimage destinations in Asia that you should cross off your bucket list, from historic temples to imposing pagodas.
Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
Top 10 Best Exploring Asia’s Best Pilgrimage Sites in the former capital of Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Myanmar. The pagoda is said to contain relics of four previous Buddhas, making it a popular destination for pilgrims from all over the world. The pagoda’s golden stupa is an iconic landmark that dominates the skyline of Yangon and is particularly stunning when lit up at night.
Varanasi, India
Varanasi, also known as Benares, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and is considered one of the most sacred places in Hinduism. Top 10 Best Exploring Asia’s Best Pilgrimage Sites on the banks of the Ganges River, the city is home to numerous ghats (steps leading down to the river) where pilgrims come to bathe in the holy waters. The city is also home to numerous temples, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most important shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Southeast Asia. Built-in the 12th century, the temple complex is the largest religious monument in the world and is considered one of the greatest architectural achievements in human history. The temple complex is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures that depict scenes from Hindu mythology.
Bodh Gaya, India
Bodh Gaya is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Top 10 Best Exploring Asia’s Best Pilgrimage Sites as it is believed to be the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya marks the spot where the Buddha sat under a bodhi tree and achieved enlightenment. The temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
Lhasa, Tibet
Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, is considered one of the most sacred cities in Buddhism. The Top 10 Best Exploring Asia’s Best Pilgrimage Sites is home to numerous temples and monasteries, including the Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama. The Jokhang Temple, located in the heart of Lhasa, is considered the most sacred temple in Tibetan Buddhism and is a popular destination for pilgrims.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. Every year, millions of Muslims from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj, as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The city is home to numerous mosques, including the Masjid al-Haram, which surrounds the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam.
Golden Temple, India
The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest site in Sikhism. Located in the city of Amritsar, the temple is a stunning example of Sikh architecture and is covered in gold leaf. The temple complex is also home to a large community kitchen, where volunteers serve free meals to all visitors regardless of their religion or background.
Mount Kailash, Tibet
Top 10 Best Exploring Asia’s Best Pilgrimage Sites Kailash is considered one of the holiest mountains in the world and is sacred to four different religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon. Located in western Tibet, the mountain is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva in Hinduism and is considered the center of the universe in Tibetan Buddhism. The mountain is also the site of the Kora, a pilgrimage circuit that takes pilgrims around the base of the mountain.
Haeinsa Temple, South Korea
Top 10 Best Exploring Asia’s Best Pilgrimage Sites is one of the most important Buddhist temples in South Korea and is home to the Tripitaka Koreana, a collection of over 80,000 wooden blocks inscribed with Buddhist scripture. The temple was founded in the 9th century and is considered one of the Three Jewel Temples of Korea.
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, Myanmar
Also known as the Golden Rock, the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is a unique pilgrimage site in Myanmar. Top 10 Best Exploring Asia’s Best Pilgrimage Sites pagoda is built on top of a giant boulder that is said to be held in place by a strand of the Buddha’s hair. The boulder is covered in gold leaf and is precariously balanced on the edge of a cliff, making it a stunning sight to behold.