The Temples in the World

The word of 'temple' originate from Latin word 'templum'. A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites.

Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the world, is the largest temple in history located at the state of Cambodia, with the entrance facing West. This temple gives the inspiration to countless novels and action movies of Hollywood.

Other than Angkor Wat, Tiger's Nest Monastery or Taktshang, is one of the holiest places in Bhutan, perched on the edge of a 3000 feet high cliff in Paro Valley. It was completed in the year of 1692.

Prambanan, a Hindu temple in Central Java, Indonesia was built in 850 CE, and composed of 8 main shrines and 250 surrounding smaller ones. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is characterized by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual temples.

Shwedagon Paya also known as the Golden Pagoda, is a 98 metres gilded stupa located in Yangon, Burma. According to legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda is 2500 years old. However, the exact date of this stupa was built is still a question.

The Temple of Heaven, literally as the Altar of Heaven, is a complex of Taoist buildings situated in southeastern urban Beijing, in Xuanwu District. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. This temple was constructed in 14th century by Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Chion-in Temple was built in 1234CE to honor the founder of Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhism, a priest named Honen, who fasted to death in the very spot. The vast compounds of Chion-in include the site where Hōnen settled to disseminate his teachings and the site where he died.

Borobudur is a ninth-century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Magelang, Central Jaya, Indonesia. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa.

The Temple of Srirangam or Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, in the Indian city of Tiruchirapalli, is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world. The date of this temple was built is unknown but it existed in some form for the last 2000 years.

The 8 temples described above are the most amazing temples in the world, with their own historical background. They were existing since hundreds years ago, or even thousands years ago. Can you imagine how they built these temples by using the limited techniques and skills at the previous days?