1. Venice, Justin, Angela, Satyam
Holy Places
Venice, Justin, Angela, Satyam

2. What is a Holy Place?
Holy places, (Loca sancta) are sites that a religion considers to be of special religious significance.
Many religious adherents make pilgrimages to these holy places.
Religions like Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Druidism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and Taoism have many holy places.

3. Ethnic Universalizing
Hinduism
Judaism
Islam
Christianity
Buddhism

4. Ethnic Universalizing
Holy places usually include holy cities/ places associated with the founder’s life.
They’re usually unrelated to physical environment
Don’t have to be near each other
Holy Places are usually from distinctive physical environment ie mountains, rivers, rocks
Usually more concentrated distribution

5. Christianity The Church of The Holy Sepulchre The River Jordan
Holy place for Christians because it is thought to be the burial ground of Jesus. The church has been a major pilgrimage center for Christians. In the Holy Land (where this is located, Jerusalem) you are encouraged to dress appropriately.
Another holy place for Christians because it is said to be where Jesus was baptised. Every year thousands pilgrimage to the river to be baptised.

6. Islam
This is “The Prophet’s Mosque”, located in Medina. It is near the mosque which Muhammed built himself. The mosque contains his tomb.
This is the Great Mosque, which is Islam’s largest mosque. The cubic-like structure in the center is the al-Ka’ba. This is a religious shrine in Mecca, Islam’s holiest city. The trip to the Great Mosque is referred to as the hajj. People who make the hajj typically wear white robes to display loyalty to Islam.
Universalizing religions like Islam have holy places associated with their founder.

7. Judaism An example of one located in NYC! The Jordan River
Located in Israel
Shows a tie between religions >> has a major significance to Christianity and Judaism
The Western Wall // The Wailing Wall // Kotel
Located in the city of Jerusalem
Made of limestone
Considered holy because of its connection to the Temple Mount
Considered the holiest place where Jews are permitted to pray, but not the holiest site in the Jewish faith.
An example of one located in NYC!
Synagogues
Located all around the world, where there is a high Jewish population
A place to pray and worship for Jewish people who are not near a holy site

8. Buddhism Lumbinī Bodh Gaya
150 mi from Buddha’s birthplace and where he reached perfect wisdom (perfect enlightenment) sitting under a Bo tree.
Lumbinī is a holy place because this was where Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) was born.

9. Hinduism tirtha=pilgrimage=form of purification
Ganges River: bathing in this river is a form of purification
Said to spring forth from the hair of Shiva
Mount Kailash is said to be where Shiva (one of the main gods) lives