Religious, Spiritual sights in Asia
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Chilla of Badar Shah
The Chilla of Badar Shah derives its name from a Sufi (ascetic Muslim mystic) who came to Chittagong in 1336. It is a modest-sized place with a courtyard and worship area built around the grave of Badar Shah, and is within walking distance from the Shahi-Jama-e-Masjid. There are several mazars (graves) in the area, so make sure you're directed to the right one - ask for 'Badar Shah Chilla'.
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San Agustin Church
The San Agustin Church was the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros. Built between 1587 and 1606, it is the oldest church in the Philippines. The present structure is actually the third to stand on the site, and has weathered seven major earthquakes, as well as the Battle of Manila. It’s an active church and much in demand for weddings and other ceremonies.
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Shahi Jama-e-Masjid
Shahi Jama-e-Masjid, in Anderkilla (inner fort), was built in 1670 on a hillock and hence looks a bit like a fort. The mosque has a tall minaret, Saracenic or Turkish in design, which looms up out of the shops that have since surrounded it. In the early 1950s it was greatly enlarged and most of its original features altered, though a number of original inscriptions are still embedded in the walls.
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Hachiman-Jinja (Hachiman Temple)
It's so small that you might stroll past and not notice it - which is exactly what makes Hachiman-jinja worth pausing for. Real-estate values in Ginza have generally forced places of worship elsewhere (or relocated them to the rooftops of Ginza's temples of commerce). Near Shimbashi Station, this is one shrine that remains at street level, a feat that was achieved by building over the top of it.
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To Mieu Temple
On the other side of the courtyard is the long, low, red and gold To Mieu Temple itself. Inside are shrines to each of the emperors, topped by their photos. Under the French only the seven liked by the colonial power were thus honoured - Ham Nghi, Thanh Thai and Duy Tan were only added in 1959. The temple is flanked on the right by a small robing house and on the left by a shrine to a soil god.
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Kalachakra Temple
Next to the Tsuglagkhang is the Kalachakra Temple, built in 1992, which contains mesmerising murals of the Kalachakra (Wheel of Time) mandala, specifically linked to Avalokitesvara, currently represented on earth by the Dalai Lama. Sand mandalas are created here annually on the fifth day of the third Tibetan month. Photography is allowed in the Tsuglagkhang, but not in the Kalachakra Temple.
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Chapel of Chenresig
This chapel contains the Jokhang's most important image after the Jowo Sakyamuni. Legend has it that the statue of Chenresig here sprang spontaneously into being and combines aspects of King Songtsen Gampo, his wives and two wrathful protective deities. The doors of the chapel are among the few remnants still visible of the Jokhang's 7th-century origins and were fashioned by Nepali artisans.
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Jagannarayan Temple
The two-storey brick Jagannarayan Temple is dedicated to Narayan, one of Vishnu's incarnations. Dating from 1565, it is reputed to be the oldest temple in the square, although an alternative date in the late 1600s has also been suggested. The temple stands on a brick plinth with large stone lions, above which are two guardian figures. The roof struts are carved with explicit erotic figures.
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Stone Inscription
On the outside of the palace wall, opposite the Vishnu Temple, is a long, low stone inscription to the goddess Kalika written in 15 languages, including one word of French. King Pratap Malla, renowned for his linguistic abilities, set up this inscription in 1664 and a Nepali legend relates that milk will flow from the spout in the middle if somebody is able to decipher all 15 languages!
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Wuta Temple
It looks more like an Indian temple because this secluded, Ming-era Buddhist structure has a unique five-pagoda roof. A very narrow staircase, which is not always open, leads to the roof. At the back of the complex is the interesting Stone Carving Museum, with a collection of stone statues and stelae. The temple is directly opposite the rear exit of the Beijing Zoo.
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Tarik Gompa
The Sakyapa school Tarik Gompa to the northeast of the stupa does not have the imposing architectural unity of the others - it has obviously been built in stages over a number of years - but there are some high-quality frescoes inside the ground-floor chapel and you can climb upstairs to a splendidly adorned Sakyamuni Buddha. Just east of here is Tabsang Gompa, a Kargyud monastery.
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Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Dazzlingly colourful, the bustling Shaivite Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is dedicated to Kali, bloodthirsty consort of Shiva. Kali’s always been big in Bengal, birthplace of the labourers who built this temple in 1885. Inside, Kali is pictured draped with a garland of skulls, disembowelling victims, and also sharing peaceful moments with her sons Ganesh and Murugan.
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Dakshineswar Kali Temple
The heart of this vibrant complex of 14 temples is a red-and-yellow 1847 Kali Temple shaped like an Indian Sacré-Coeur. This was where Ramakrishna started his remarkable spiritual journey and his small room in the outer northwest corner of the temple precinct is now a place of special meditative reverence. On Sundays the extensive complex is thronged with devotees.
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Japanese Peace Pagoda
Perched on a hillside at the end of AJC Bose Rd is the gleaming white Japanese Peace Pagoda, one of more than 70 pagodas built by the Japanese Buddhist Nipponzan Myohoji organisation around the world. Drumming resonates through the forested grounds during their daily pujas (prayers). It’s about a 35-minute walk from Clubside along Gandhi and AJC Bose Rds.
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World Peace Pagoda
Easily accessible by bike, the impressive gleaming white World Peace Pagoda was constructed by Japanese Buddhists at a cost of US$1 million. The shining golden statue depicts the Buddha in the posture he assumed when he was born. Near the base of the stupa is the grave of a Japanese monk murdered by anti-Buddhist extremists during the construction of the monument.
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Catholic Church
The singlespire edifice dates back to 1867 - pop inside and admire the bright, whitewashed interior, cooled by overhead fans and containing a confessional, small shuttered windows and an attractively painted ceiling. The church isn't on the official map, but it's down an alley off Yutang St. Watch out for the dogs that sit in the courtyard; they don't always take to foreigners.
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Dechenphu Lhakhang
To reach Dechenphu Lhakhang involves a short climb up a stone staircase to an elevation of about 2660m (8725ft). The imposing tall, red goenkhang (chapel) is dedicated to the powerful deity Gyenyen and is said to be able to supply weaponry for an endless number of soldiers. Many of the paintings in the adjoining goemba (Buddhist monastery) have been restored.
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Wat Hat Som Paen
The village of Hat Som Paen is a former tin-mining community. At Wat Hat Som Paen visitors feed fruit to the huge Ъlah ploo·ang (black carp) in the temple stream. The faithful believe these carp are actually tair·wá·dah, a type of angel, and it's forbidden to catch and eat them. Legend has it that those who do will contract leprosy.
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Chinese Mosque
What looks for all the world like a Mongolian Buddhist temple on the corner of Bektenov and Jusup Abdrakhmanov is in fact a mosque, built without nails, completed in 1910 after three years' work by a Chinese architect and 20 Chinese artisans, for the local Dungan community. It was closed by the Bolsheviks from 1933 to 1943, but since then has again become a place of worship.
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New Kathiresan Kovil
Known as kovil, Hindu temples are numerous in Colombo. On Sea St, the New Kathiresan Kovil (along with the old Kathiresan Kovil) is dedicated to the war god Murugan (Skanda), and is the starting point for the annual Hindu Vel festival held in July/August, when the huge vel (trident) chariot is dragged to various kovils on Galle Rd in Bambalapitiya.
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Mubarak Mosque
The Mubarak Mosque, where children study the Koran in Arabic script, is also on the river bank opposite Chau Doc. Visitors are permitted, but you should avoid entering during the calls to prayer (five times daily) unless you are a Muslim.
There are other small mosques in the Chau Doc area. They are accessible by boat, but you'll need a local guide to find them all.
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Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
Dedicated to Vishnu, the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple dates from 1855, but the 20m-tall gopuram is a S$300,000 1966 addition. Inside is a statue of Vishnu (aka Perumal), his sidekicks Lakshmi and Andal, and his bird-mount Garuda. Sri Srinivasa Perumal is the starting point for the parade to the Chettiar Hindu Temple during the Thaipusam festival.
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Bǎolún Sì
A network of alleyways and walking streets comprises Ciqikou Ancient Town. Check the map at the two main gates for all the attractions. A few sights not to be missed include Bǎolún Sì, one the last remaining of Ciqikou's five temples (another now serves as a primary school). The magnificent main building dates back 1000 years to the Northern Song dynasty.
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Leong San See Temple
The gorgeous Taoist Leong San See Temple is dedicated to Guan Yin, Goddess of Mercy. Built in 1917 using traditional joinery and intricately carved ceiling beams in a style similar to that of Thian Hock Keng, this temple has an effervescent, happy atmosphere. The smiling Buddha welcomes you at the door; to promote good feng shui, walk around clockwise.
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Pu Ji Si Buddhist Research Centre
Inside this fantastic four-storey building, which is part educational facility, part house of worship, visitors will find meditation halls, Buddhist libraries filled with books and scripture, and a seeming endless well of serenity. Take the elevator up for a sit by the fountain in the rooftop statue garden. Breathe in the air of serenity while pondering the eternal.
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