Tiantai Peak

Name : Tiantai Peak natural feature)

Location : Jiuhuashan Mountain, China

Description : To the east of Jiuhua Village over a hillcrest is a small valley. From here you can take a cable car up almost to the top of the high ridge to the east. At the top peak is a temple on the spot where Kim built his shack in 720. A little below the summit, near the terminus of the cable car is another temple with a stone that is said to have the footprints of Dizang imprinted in it. The stone is set in the floor of a small shrine in between two larger and newer buildings.

Website : http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/china/jiuhuashan/tiantai.php

Baisuigong Temple

Name : Baisuigong Temple

Location : Jiuhuashan Mountain, China

Decsription : Uphill from Qiyuansi temple is a monastery called Baisuigong (Hundred Year Palace), accessible by a tram that runs up the hill to the peak. From here one can walk a couple hundred yards along the ridge to the monastery.

Baisuigong is a Taoist temple perched on the summit of the east peak (Dongfeng). Originally named the Star Picking Temple (Zai Xing An), it was later given its present name in the 16th century when the eminent monk Wu Xia moved to the mountain for the last days of his life. Legend says that after the monk visited temples on Wutai and Emei mountains, he compiled the Huayang Sutras (written in gold dust and his own blood) and died on Jiuhuashan at age 126.

The temple in those days was so remote that Wu Xia's body was only found three years after his death, apparently perfectly preserved. The locals were so amazed that they immediately renamed the temple in his honor. When Emperor Chongzheng of the Qing Dynasty came to power, he had the body of Wu Xia covered in gold leaf and placed in the temple. Imperial recognition allowed the temple to be expanded into the 4th largest on Jiuhua mountain. Even nowadays the body can still be seen seated in prayer.

Website : http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/china/jiuhuashan/baisuigong.php

Jiuhuashan

Name : Mount Jiuhua (or) was originally known as Jiuzi (Nine-Peak) Mountain.

Location : It is located in Qingyang County in Anhui province and is famous for its rich landscape and ancient temples.

Description : Jiuhuashan is one of the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism. The 100 km2 area is full of ridges and peaks, exotic-shaped stones, gushing fountains, roaring waterfalls, and clear streams.

Many of the mountain's shrines and temples are dedicated to Ksitigarbha (known in Chinese as Dìzàng), who is a bodhisattva and protector of souls in hell according to Mahayana Buddhist tradition. Pious Buddhists often come to this popular attraction in Anhui to climb to Greater Tiantai peak, which is regarded as Jiuhuashan's most important peak, although it is not the tallest.

The original name of the mountain was Mt. Jiuzishan( Nine Peek Mountain ). However it was renamed Mt. Jiuhua, meaning "the Mountain of the Nine Lotuses." Legend states that one day, Libai - the famous poet of the Tang Dynasty - came to visit this mountain. The poet was intoxicated with the scene of nine peaks that look like lotus blooms from heaven. Out of admiration he wrote the lines: "From the azure skies above descends a jade-like flow, and nine fascinating lotuses rise out of the hills below."

Famous Buddhist Shrine :

It was not until the late eighth century that the mountain became a place where religious rites were held to worship the God of Earth. The construction of temples started in the Tang Dynasty and their enlargement continued in the following dynasties. By the middle of the Qing, Mt. Jiuhua became one of the four great Buddhist Mountains in China (the other three being Mt. Emeishan in Sichuan, Mt. Wutaishan in Shanxi and Mt. Putuoshan in Zhejiang).
"Huacheng Temple" is the oldest temples on the mountain. It looks simple and solemn. Its lintels, brackets and roofs all have artistic engravings on them. The picture "nine dragons are playing with pearls" on a panel in the "Main Shrine Hall" is a consummate piece of ancient Chinese artists. Precious sutras and other cultural relics in Huacheng and other temples are on display in the Historical Relics Museum of the Jiuhua Mountain.

Other famous temples on the mountain include :
Huacheng Temple - The oldest temple on the mountain
Guoqing Temple
Baisuigong Temple - houses the more than 350 year old mummy of Monk Wu Xia
Dabeilou Temple
Qiyuansi Temple
Roushen Temple
Tianchi Temple
Zhantanlin Temple
Zhiyuan Temple

Website : http://www.hceis.com/ChinaBasic/Mountains/Jiuhuashan.htm

St-Martin-du-Canigou

Name : St-Martin-du-Canigou or St-Martin-du-Canigou and also St. Martin's Abbey

Location : Languedoc state, Roussillon province, France

Description :
Faith - Christianity
Denomination - Catholic
Order - Benedictine (originally; now Community of the Beatitudes)
Dedication - St. Martin

Boasting a spectacular location in the Pyrenees mountains of southern France, the abbey church of Saint-Martin-du-Canigou is a Romanesque treasure from the early 11th century. In addition to its ancient architecture, it is notable for its collection of original 13th-century capitals depicting a variety of imaginative subjects.

Construction on the Abbey of Saint Martin probably began in 1005, the year it was founded by Count Guifre de Cerdanya. The elder brother of Oliba, who was abbot of the nearby Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa, the count eventually became a monk himself in Saint-Martin-du-Canigou. The completion date for the abbey church is usually given as 1009 - one thousand years ago. Benedictine monks were invited to take up residence in the new abbey.

The abbey remained active until it was dissolved in 1783. Thereafter it was abandoned, lying neglected and forgotten throughout the 1800s. Many of the abbey buildings fell into ruin, but happily the church and its tower remained standing in 1902, when restoration work began. The restoration project was led by Mgr de Carsalade du Pont, Bishop of Perpignan. Today, the abbey is active once again, as home to the Community of the Beatitudes.

The abbey is located at about 3,500 feet above sea level in the richly forested Pyrenees mountains. Accessible only by a scenic paved path that winds through the woods, it offers a unique atmosphere along with its rich history and art. Upon arrival at the abbey, head to the visitor's center to purchase a ticket for the next guided tour. A resident monk or nun will lead the tour in French, with translations in several other languages provided as handouts.

Visitors approach the abbey from the east side, which provides a view of the handsome chevet from below. Like many early Romanesque churches, it has a central apse flanked by two smaller apses decorated with Lombard bands, and a triangular pediment above. Another apse extends to the south, as part of a small chapel. The bell tower is attached to the north side of the church. It is built in the distinctive Roussillon style, with a stout square shape, multiple tiers of round-headed openings, and a crenellated top.

Scenic Viewpoint : For a fine view of the abbey from above, head south from the gathering area below the church and up a small trail marked by signs warning about danger. The danger is due to the lack of any fence around the small platform, which looks out over a steep cliff. But the platform is mostly smooth and roomy enough for a few adults to enjoy the view without taking any excessive risks, and the view is exceptional. Just be careful not to trip over a rock!

Hours : Accessible only on guided tours (in French).
Closed in month of January.

Website : http://stmartinducanigou.org/

Barlaam Monastery - Greece

Name : Varlaam (Barlaam) Monastery

Location : Meteora, Thessaly, Greece

Legend : Varlaam Monastery, one of the monasteries of the Meteora, is named for the monk who first built a tiny chapel on this rocky promontory in the 14th century.

In the 16th century, two brothers from the monastery at Ioannina enlarged the chapel and founded the monastery. According to legend, they had to drive away the monster who lived in a cave on the summit before they could move in.

Description : Entry to the Varlaam (Barlaam) Monastery is quite easy. Safe, wide steps have been cut into the rock and it's not as far to climb as the steps to the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Meteora. If you're not especially fit, then this is a good monastery to choose. Entry is by ticket; it cost us 2 Euros each at the door.

Women have to wear a skirt and cover bare arms. Trousers and short sleeved T-shirts not allowed. Skirts to below the knee seem to be preferred dress for women, Peasant style. Appropriate dress code for men is long trousers and a long sleeved shirt.

Entry for tourists is restricted to the church, a 2 room museum, and gift shop. The small museum has several historic treasures on display. There is a small collection of hand-written illuminated religious books, a cabinet of beautifully crafted and gold and silver communion goblets, heavily embroidered robes for special occasions, lecterns inlaid with ivory and mother of pearl, plus other religious items.

The adjoining bookshop sells a small selection of books in various common languages, about the history of Meteora, the Byzantine monasteries and the Orthodox faith.

The mountain range to the east and north of Meteora experiences baking heat in summer and severe cold in winter with heavy snowfalls.

Website : http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/meteora-varlaam-monastery.htm

The Süleymaniye Mosque

Name : The Suleymaniye Mosque

Location : Located on the second Hill of Istanbul, Turkey.

Description : It is an Ottoman imperial mosque and is the second largest mosque in the city, and one of the best-known sights of Istanbul.

The Süleymaniye Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Suleiman I (Suleiman the Magnificent) and was constructed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557.

Sinan considered the design to be an architectural counterpoint to the Byzantine Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia, converted into a mosque under Mehmed II, served as a model to many Ottoman mosques in Istanbul. However, Sinan's Süleymaniye is a more symmetrical, rationalized and light-filled interpretation of earlier Ottoman precedents, as well as the Hagia Sophia. It is possible that dialogue between Italy and Istanbul contributed to Sinan's enthusiasm for symmetrical and rational forms, as promoted by writers like Alberti.

The design of the Süleymaniye also plays on Suleyman's self-conscious representation of himself as a 'second Solomon.' It references the Dome of the Rock, which was built on the site of the Temple of Solomon, as well as Justinian's boast upon the completion of the Hagia Sophia: "Solomon, I have surpassed thee!" The Süleymaniye, similar in magnificence to the preceding structures, asserts Suleyman's historical importance. The structure is nevertheless smaller in size than its older archetype, the Hagia Sophia.

The Süleymaniye was ravaged by a fire in 1660 and was restored by Sultan Mehmed IV. Part of the dome collapsed again during the earthquake of 1766. Subsequent repairs damaged what was left of the original decoration of Sinan (recent cleaning has shown that Sinan experimented first with blue, before turning red the dominant color of the dome).

During World War I the courtyard was used as a weapons depot and when some of the ammunition ignited the mosque suffered another fire. Not until 1956 was it fully restored again.

Website : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BCleymaniye_Mosque