World Religions and Cults: Major Shrines. From Pilgrimage to Religious Tourism

Every religion in the world has not only its doctrine, leaders, rituals, holidays, sacred texts, but also special holy places. For thousands of years, people have made pilgrimages to them to ask for help, healing, or to express gratitude.

British historian Catherine Herlock believes that pilgrimage is not just a pious journey. The ancient Greeks consulted oracles on matters of state governance, in China they awaited the approval of higher powers of nature during the change of ruling dynasties, medieval kings prayed for victory in wars. Shrines are "places of power" for countries and peoples.

The author visits 19 sacred sites of all religions and tells their fascinating history. Among them are major pilgrimage centers (Jerusalem, Mecca, Rome, Istanbul, Lourdes, Santiago de Compostela, Karbala, the Ganges River) as well as lesser-known shrines of Sikhs, Japanese and Chinese Buddhists, Celts, Native Americans, New Zealand Maoris, Gypsies, and others.