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Entity reports on facts about the important philosophies behind architecture and temples.

You’re a bonafide worldly woman, or at least an aspiring one. One of the best parts of going to a new country is digging into its history. You’ve realized by now that religion and history go together as well as Netflix and your couch, and some of the coolest cultural and architectural feats can be attributed to religion. Places of worship are especially interesting because they show you what different cultures value (or used to value) most. Whether it’s a secret Mesopotamian Ziggurat or a vast Egyptian hall, ENTITY has got you covered on the meanings behind temples all over the world.

HINDU TEMPLES

Hindu temples are laid out according to the eight cardinal directions. Each temple is dedicated to a specific Hindu god, who are carved on the outside of the building. The most important room in a Hindu temple is the garbhagriha (translated as ‘womb-chamber’). The garbhagriha is located in the heart of the temple. Energy flows in and out of this small and windowless room, which contains a symbolic representation of the temple’s deity. Hindu temples typically have three fake doors in three walls to allow for energy to flow throughout the temple, according to the Ancient History Encyclopedia.

Check it Out: Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is a Hindu Temple in Cambodia. Built for Vishnua, the temple exists within a complex housing 1,000 more temples, according to Business Insider.  The city of Angkor is an archaeological wonder and has been standing for 900 years. According to Business Insider, it represents “heaven on earth” and, in myth, is said to embody the Universe. The temple has been in continuous use since its construction in the 12th Century.

BUDDHIST TEMPLES

Buddhist temples are known to have two separate structures: the Grotto and the Pagoda. The Grotto is known as a small cave-like structure which originated in central Asia, where monks retreated to the mountains and carved stone statues to assist in prayer. While many Buddhist temples stand alone, others are positioned near these sacred Grottos. The Pagoda is a many-tiered tower. According to China Through a Lens, it was originally built to house the remains of Sakyamuni (Siddhārtha Gautama), the founder of Buddhism. Buddhist scripture claims that after Sakyamuni was cremated, the man left behind unbreakable beads. It became tradition to leave gold, crystal and precious stones after the cremation of other Buddhist monks.

Check it Out: Borobudur

Located in Indonesia, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Climbing the temple is meant to be a spiritual journey, according to National Geographic, as each level allows you to reach a new height of enlightenment and growth. Surrounding the temple’s lower levels is a terrace that blocks the view from outside and instead depicts narratives about the Buddha using over 3,000 statues.

SIKH TEMPLES

Sikh temples are called Gurdwara, each housing different gurus. This means that these temples are not solely places of worship but are also colleges, hospitals and residences. They are meant to commemorate each of the 10 Sikh Gurus. To be a Gurdwara, the building must have a small room to place the holy book and seat a congregation. They also must have entrances at all four sides of the building to indicate welcomeness, according to Tribune India.

Check it Out: Manikaran

The First Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, visited the town of Manali in 1574, according to Listaka. The man and two of his followers wanted to make food but had no fire. According to the legend, Manikaran’s hot spring sprang out of the Earth after Sahib picked up a rock. The town of Manikaran is visited by both Hindu and Sikh pilgrims.

ZOROASTRIANISM TEMPLES

Zoroastrianism, the world’s first monotheistic religion, gave birth to the fire temple. Appearing in the fourth century, fire temples are known for arched domes and square ground plans with pillars in each corner. Ash is an essential part of worship, as well as fire and clean water, which aid in purity rituals.

Check it Out: Yazd Atash Behram

Yazd is a relatively new fire temple in Iran. The building housing the sacred fire was built in 1934. The fire supposedly was gathered from 16 different sources including lightening, hearth fires and cremation fires. The sacred flame which the temple surrounds has been burning since 470 C.E. according to Iran English Radio.

JAIN TEMPLES

Jain buildings are influenced by both Buddhist and Hindu temple structures. Jain temples exist on square structures with four openings matching the cardinal directions. Each of those openings has the option of leading to an image of a Tirthankara, a jainist teaching god. Jain ceilings tend to have more ornate design and dieties than Hindu temples. In “The Architecture of Jainism” author Ashish Nangia remarks that Jainist temples have four distinct sides to follow the metaphysical doctrine of there being more than one truth. Many Jainist temples play with the “multiplicity of viewpoints.”

Check it Out: Shikharji

This temple is a newer building with parts dating back to the 18th century, although the idol within the temple dates back to 1678 AD. It’s said that the 23rd Tirthankara obtained nirvana at this site. Parasnath Hills, where the temple is located, is the highest mountain peak in the state, according to Temple Travel.

MESOPOTAMIA TEMPLES

In Mesopotamia, ziggurats were built from sun-dried clay. These massive temples were meant to link the sky and earth. They also could have been built so high to serve as homes for the gods, who were thought to live in the mountains according to The British Museum.

Check it Out: Chogha Zanbil

This is an ancient city, or rather, the ruins of one. Located in the Khuzestan, Iran, this temple is well worth a journey. One review on Trip Advisor speculates that it might be the world’s best persevered ziggurat. The ancient wonder demonstrates what a typical ziggurat would look like and is a great way to learn about ancient Mesopotamian history. Also, since the site is not often visited by tourists, the temple remains a hidden gem for travelers worldwide.

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN TEMPLES

Temples in Ancient Egypt were thought to be home of the gods. Each one was dedicated to a different deity. The temples were made of stone so that they would last forever. Painted onto the stone were detailed scenes of the pharaoh engaging in rituals with gods. These images were carved and later painted in vibrant colors, according to The British Museum.

Check it Out: Karnak Temple

The Karnak temple is the largest religious building ever constructed. It’s actually an entire city of temples and is dedicated to the cults of Amun, Mut and Khonsu. Karnak is so big that it covers over 200 acres with halls filled with columns, statues and even a sacred lake, according to Discovering Egypt.

Edited by Ellena Kilgallon
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