Temples

Founded over a thousand years ago, this shrine is said to be built on the site of a warlord's harem prison.

This sacred cave temple is home to thousands of bats and according to legend, a giant snake king.

Over 80,000 carved wood blocks make up one of the world's oldest intact Buddhist canons.

This intricate Hindu temple is the largest of its kind outside of India itself and was constructed like a giant puzzle.

This bright pink Gandhi memorial was built so that sunshine hits a specific spot on his birthday.

The home of the Dead Sea Scrolls is an abstract modernist dream.

This temple to the sturm and drang of Richard Wagner contains a dragon's cave and reptile zoo full of living "dragons."

This gem-encrusted temple is said to contain some of the Buddha's hair which can make the deaf hear and the blind see.

A futuristic temple of light uses prisms and rainbows to create an atmosphere of peace.

The quintessential Japanese rock garden has existed for more than 500 years.

A Singapore shrine to an unnamed German girl who has become a local deity.

Ecuador's largest Incan ruins show evidence of sophisticated irrigation and diplomacy among the ancient builders.

Despite sitting firmly in the global cradle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this Hare Krishna temple is host to one of the largest color festivals outside India.

The Buddhist temples of Yamadera, built into a mountain side, feature a viewing deck with sweeping views.

Mirrors and glass shards cover every inch of this arrestingly beautiful mosque.

A sacred mountaintop temple offers a fine cup of tea to visitors who can survive the journey.