Welcome to a world of wonderment and awe. Built long before our time, they are a testament of survival and beauty. Some were lost for centuries before being discovered by “accident”. Most have had to undergo years of reconstruction to save them from destruction. Welcome to the temples of the heavens.

Angkor Wat

Built in Cambodia in the 12th century for King Suryavarman II. At first it was Hindu (honoring the god Vishnu), then becoming a Buddhist place of worship. It consists of a temple encompassing the mythic Mt. Meru. Its five inter-nested walls and moats represent chains of mountains and the cosmic oceans. The city became uninhabited in the 1400’s when it was sacked.

It became a lost wonder, only to be happened upon by Buddhist monks. Legends circulated about the mysterious city built by the gods of ancient time. Eventually the legends reached the “outside” world, and restoration efforts began to rebuild the lost city. Archaeologists once believed that Angkor Wat was the resting place of kings. But the kings were the ones who built this sacred place as a world of worship.

Taktshang

Located in Bhutan is nestled a monastery on the cliffs of a mountain (nearly 10,000 feet up). The name means tiger’s nest, apparently derived from the legend of one of Bhutan’s Buddhists. He flew to the valley on the back of a tigress before resting in one of the caves located on the top of the mountain. Here he meditated for three months, where the monastery now resides.

Khajuraho Temple

This temple has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the Temples of Love, the temple itself is stunning, and it contains erotica sculptures, which is sure to raise an eyebrow. It is one of the top tourist destinations in India, and one can certainly see why. Built between 950-1050 A.D., there were originally 85 temples constructed of sandstone. Only 22 survive.

Shikoku Temples

Zentsuji (Number 77 of the 88, and the largest)

The Shikoku pilgrimage is comprised of 88 temples throughout Shikoku (the smallest of Japan’s islands). The Buddhist monk Kobo Dashi created the temples in 815 A.D. The temples were made to protect people from misfortunes.

It can usually take a month to traverse all the temples by foot. The pilgrims are known as henro, and they usually work in a clockwise circle around Shikoku. And if you’re looking for a heart-felt journey to self-discovery, then traveling by foot is the way to go. Otherwise, most people travel the circuit by car or bike.

Banteay Srei

Set in an almost surreal surrounding is a small temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Its meaning loosely translates to citadel of the women. It was built by a Brahmin counselor under the King Rajendravarman.

It is located in Angkor, Cambodia. Built of red sandstone, the walls of the building are intricately carved. Because of its diminutive size, it is known as the precious gem amongst tourists.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam)

It is the largest temple in India, and one of the largest religious complexes in the entire world. It is surrounded by 7 concentric walls with 21 towers called Gopurams. The temple was purportedly built more than 2,000 years ago, although archaeologists are still unsure of its exact origins.

Legend says that Sri Ranganatha was flown across the sky by the sage Vibhisana. While resting, he set a statue of Vishnu upon the ground, but once rested, he could not remove the idol. A temple was built around the statue, and building continued for hundreds of years.

Brihadeeshavra Temple

Located at Thanjavur, this temple is an example of Chola architecture. It was built by Rajaraja Chola, the first king of India. The ancient Hindu temple was built around the 10th century, with later editions in the 16th century. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of India’s most prized sites.