1. Holy Cities of Hinduism, Islam, Judaism Paige N. Strong, Kelsey L. Martinez and Dustin Benson AP World Mrs. Ruthford

2. Holiest City of Hinduism The holiest city of Hinduism is Varanasi or Kasi. It is located in India and has a population of 1,211,749 Varanasi

3. The River of Ganga The holy city of Hinduism is Varanasi or Kashi is surrounded by the Ganga river. 1,000,000 pilgrims come to this river and city every year. To Hindus it is believed that bathing in this river will remiss there sins. People also drink from the water of this river during Hindu ceremonies.

4. Temples of Varanasi Varanasi is a city of many small little temples on almost every street corner that are used for prayers and rituals throughout the day. The one large temple in Varanasi is Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple) this temple helps to make Varanasi such and place of great religion.

5. Mecca Kaaba Sacred House (mosque) Fifth Pillar Pilgrimage to Mecca

6. Medina Second holiest city Where Muhammad is buried, the final prophet of Islam Masjid Nabawi

7. Jerusalem Third holiest city Muslims believe that Muhammad ascended through the heavens The Dome of the Rock

8. Judaism – Basic Facts – Jerusalem Jerusalem is the holiest city of Judaism (since the 10 th century BCE) and some denominations of Christianity (since the 5 th century CE) and, after Mecca and Medine, the third holiest city of Islam (since the 7 th century CE). Geography: Elevation 2000 – 2500 feet (650 – 840 meters) located between the dead sea and the Mediterranean sea. Population: Current: 724,000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Jerusalem_from_mt_olives.jpg Jerusalem Old City from Mount of Olives. Jerusalem

9. Judaism – History – Jerusalem The oldest printed vision of Jerusalem (Hartmann Schedel, Nürnberg 1493) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Har tmann-schedel-hierosolima-1493_2- BW-1147x965.jpg Oldest Printed Vision http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Jeru salem_Ugglan_1.jpg The city is believed to have been built and founded by Canaanite peoples, it may have also been occupied by the Jebusites. During the Canaanite period, the city of Jerusalem had the name Urušalim, which has the meaning “the city of peace.” Around 960 BCE, Solomon built the First Jewish Temple. For about four centuries Jerusalem served as the capital for the southern kingdom of Judah. First Temple Construction of the First Temple

10. Judaism – Roles – Jerusalem Christians: The church of Holy Sepulcher. Jerusalem has an important role in three major religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well in many smaller religious groups. Jerusalem has many places which include religious significance to the groups mentioned above. These Include: Jews: The Temple Mount, and its Western Wall. Muslims: Dome of the Rock. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imag e:Al_aqsa_moschee_2.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imag e:Holy_sepulchre_exterior.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ima ge:Western_wall_jerusalem_nig ht.jpg

11. Compare / Contrast of Holy cities Though it is not required like in Islam, Hindu people that have enough money and are able to travel a pilgrimage to Varanasi for their religion. Islam and Judaism and easily be compared because they both such Jerusalem as a city. All three of the Religions holy cites have a major holy temple that has some kind of significant to it even if it just helps to signify their religion and beliefs. There are definite similarities between the holy cities of these religions they are also very different and in many senses hard to compare.