10. Temples, Pilgrimages and Festivals

Source 1

A hindu temple

dancing shiva

Vishvanath Temple, built about 1000 C.E in sandstone. This Temple edicated to Shiva as "Lord of the Universe" and is part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Khajuraho, a town in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.


Courtesy of Prof. James G. Lochtefeld.

Source 2

Benares embankments along the Ganges river


Embankments along the Ganges river in Varanasi (also known as Benares), in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is known as the favorite city of the god Shiva and for this Varanasi is one of the seven most important sites of pilgrimage for every Hindus. Going to Varanasi is said to cleanse all the sins and obtain salvation.

Source 3

video: The Holi Festival


A video of the Holi Festival, filmed in the Uttar Pradesh state of India. The Holi is a spring festival also known as the festival of colors, celebrated throughout North India around February–March. It is an ancient Hindus religious festival which celebrate the end of winter and the victory of good over the evil. The festival has, in recent times, spread to parts of Europe and North America as a spring celebration of love and fun.


Photographer/director Xavier Zimbardo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5p6_r4JkFw