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City↕ | Country↕ | Religion↕ | Main Sacred Site↕ | Known For↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mecca | Saudi Arabia | Islam | Kaaba in Masjid al-Haram | Holiest city in Islam, Hajj pilgrimage, birthplace of Muhammad, non-Muslims forbidden |
Medina | Saudi Arabia | Islam | Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque) | Second holiest city in Islam, burial place of Muhammad |
Jerusalem | Israel/Palestine | Judaism, Christianity, Islam | Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Dome of the Rock | Sacred to all three Abrahamic faiths, most contested city in history |
Varanasi (Kashi) | India | Hinduism | Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ganges ghats | One of oldest continuously inhabited cities, dying here grants moksha |
Lhasa | Tibet (China) | Tibetan Buddhism | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple | Seat of the Dalai Lamas, roof of the world |
Bodh Gaya | India | Buddhism | Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree | Where Buddha attained enlightenment, holiest Buddhist site |
Rome (Vatican City) | Italy | Catholic Christianity | St. Peter's Basilica | Seat of the Pope, largest Christian church, tomb of St. Peter |
Amritsar | India | Sikhism | Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) | Holiest site in Sikhism, free langar feeds 100000+ daily |
Najaf | Iraq | Shia Islam | Imam Ali Shrine | Burial of Ali, largest cemetery in the world, Shia center |
Karbala | Iraq | Shia Islam | Imam Husayn Shrine | Martyrdom of Husayn, Arbaeen pilgrimage with 20+ million visitors |
Santiago de Compostela | Spain | Catholic Christianity | Cathedral of Santiago | End of Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, tomb of St. James |
Lourdes | France | Catholic Christianity | Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes | Marian apparitions, healing waters, 6 million pilgrims yearly |
Qom | Iran | Shia Islam | Shrine of Fatima Masumeh | Major Shia seminary city, center of religious scholarship |
Haridwar | India | Hinduism | Har Ki Pauri ghat on the Ganges | Gateway to the gods, Kumbh Mela site every 12 years |
Ise | Japan | Shinto | Ise Grand Shrine | Holiest Shinto site, rebuilt every 20 years, Amaterasu sun goddess |
Salt Lake City | United States | Mormonism (LDS) | Salt Lake Temple, Temple Square | Headquarters of the LDS Church, founded by Brigham Young |
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