Three of the World’s Most Spiritual Places: Angkor Wat, Uluru, the Bodhi Tree

LifestyleFebruary 6, 2018

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1 Three of the World’s Most Spiritual Places: Angkor Wat, Uluru, the Bodhi Tree

2 Angkor Wat

3 Uluru

4 The Bodhi Tree

Three of the World’s Most Spiritual Places: Angkor Wat, Uluru, the Bodhi Tree

For most of us, visiting a spiritual site is as much about the history that surrounds it as it is about the spiritual experience you might have while you are there – or at least the experience of soaking up the energy of the place. There are certain spiritual places around the world that we’ve all heard of, but relatively few of the world’s population will be lucky enough to see with their own eyes. It’s should be no surprise, therefore, that many travelers make a point of including some of these iconic sites and buildings in their travel itineraries.

Of course, for some travelers, spirituality plays a key role in their day to day life and it’s a chance to combine their love of travel with something that really resonates in their normal life. We’re fortunate today to have all kinds of ways of tapping into our spiritual side, whether that’s through traditional religious channels or through other means such as meditation and yoga. Using services provided by psychic readers at TheCircle such as clairvoyants and astrologists is another way to gain insights into our spiritual life.

The number of spiritual sites that we could visit around the world is huge, of course, so we’ve chosen to look at a few of the most well-known. Maybe you’ve visited them already, or maybe reading about them here will make you want to add them to your must-see list.

Angkor Wat

This amazing complex of temple ruins in Cambodia includes the largest religious building on earth, Angkor Wat, and gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1992. Given that the whole site is over 248 square miles, it’s perhaps unsurprising that most visitors only see a fraction of the ruins when they are there.

These temples were created at the time of Cambodian “god-kings” who had them built during their reigns as signs of their devotion to the gods. The reason that there are so many temples, is that each king tried to outdo their ancestors in building temples that were bigger and more ambitious than what had previously been built. They are meant to symbolize Mount Meru, the Hindu equivalent of Mount where the ancient gods dwell.

Angkor Wat – Siem Reap

Christoph Rooms

For more than half of international visitors to Cambodia, seeing the temple complex is the primary reason for visiting the country. It’s such an iconic part of the country that it even features on the Cambodian national flag.

Uluru

Ayers Rock – Uluru

by Bitchin’ Ol’ Boomer Babe blog

One of the most recognizable visual symbols of Australia has to be Uluru, or Ayer’s Rock, the massive sandstone formation that rises out of the desert in central Australia. For years, travelers have made their way to pay homage to the rock, and while many are there to simply see it in person, for others it has a much deeper spiritual connection.

The native people of Australia, the Anangu or Aboriginals, believe that Uluru was created during Dreamtime (the period of creation) by the ancestral beings. Before then, they believe that the world was not formed and lacking in features until these ancestral beings emerged from the void and created the features of the landscape and all living species.

Traditionally, the main route up to the summit is the path that was taken by ancestors of the Aboriginal tribes. Different outcrops on the rock are representative of different ancestral spirits. Aborigines can connect with those spirits by touching the rocks and asking for blessings.

As a visitor to Uluru, you have the choice to make the climb to the summit, but, to show respect for their traditions, the local Anangu have requested that tourists no longer do this. Even if you choose to go ahead, keep in mind that time is limited, as the climb will be closed permanently from 26 October 2019.

The Bodhi Tree

As the most significant of the four principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites, the Sacred Fig at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India, is believed to be a direct descendant of the original Bodhi Tree. It has a particular significance for Buddhists as Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as Buddha, reached the state of enlightenment under the tree.

People make the journey to the Bodhi Tree throughout the year, but it draws particular numbers on 8 December, Bodhi Day when Buddha’s enlightenment is celebrated. Due to the number of visitors, the tree is fenced to protect it from too much damage. However, there is a small hole in the fence so that visitors can touch the bark.

Stupa at bodh gaya

by manbartlett

Wherever you are in the world you can access the spiritual side of life, but there’s no denying that places like these seem to bring you into immediate contact with that mindset, simply by being there.

@LifeTailored

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