Earth's Sacred Wonders
Many of the world’s best-known landmarks have been inspired by faith and today more worshippers than ever are flocking to these sacred places. For some people they’re sanctuaries for quiet contemplation. For others, they’re sites for astonishing acts of worship, dangerous challenges and extraordinary deeds of devotion,
Vibes:
The Mescalero Apache Coming of Age Ceremony
In a sacred tepee built for the occasion, Mescalero Apache girls undergo a grueling Coming of Age ceremony during which they must dance all night. It is believed this allows them to take on the power of White Painted Woman and so become women themselves.
In a sacred tepee built for the occasion, Mescalero Apache girls undergo a grueling Coming of Age ceremony during which they must dance all night. It is believed this allows them to take on the power of White Painted Woman and so become women themselves.
Balinese Hindus Hunt Demonic Spirits
On the island of Bali in Indonesia, Hindu devotees believe that demonic spirits stalk the land, and that every year they must be hunted down. The hunters use spirit traps to catch them, and then destroy the spirits with fire. The final step is the Day of Silence when everyone
On the island of Bali in Indonesia, Hindu devotees believe that demonic spirits stalk the land, and that every year they must be hunted down. The hunters use spirit traps to catch them, and then destroy the spirits with fire. The final step is the Day of Silence when everyone
The Procession of Animals at St. John the Divine
It's the morning of the Feast of St. Francis, patron saint of animals. At the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan, animals and their handlers are arriving for the grand procession down the cathedral's aisle to be blessed by the Bishop of New York.
It's the morning of the Feast of St. Francis, patron saint of animals. At the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan, animals and their handlers are arriving for the grand procession down the cathedral's aisle to be blessed by the Bishop of New York.
The Great Mosque is Replastered
It's the day of the replastering of the Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali. The rivalry to replaster the central minaret is so fierce, the day begins with a race between the masons to reach the top first. As dawn breaks, the masons get to work. But now
It's the day of the replastering of the Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali. The rivalry to replaster the central minaret is so fierce, the day begins with a race between the masons to reach the top first. As dawn breaks, the masons get to work. But now
Climbing the Towers of Angkor Wat
The temples of Angkor in Cambodia are constantly threatened by jungle plants taking root. Today the gardeners must climb the high towers of Angkor Wat to remove saplings they have spotted growing on the ancient stonework.
The temples of Angkor in Cambodia are constantly threatened by jungle plants taking root. Today the gardeners must climb the high towers of Angkor Wat to remove saplings they have spotted growing on the ancient stonework.
The Night of Power at Al Aqsa
Hundreds of thousands of worshippers flock to Al Aqsa in Jerusalem to pray on the Night of Power near the end of Ramadan. It's the holiest date in the Muslim calendar and the busiest night of the year at Al Aqsa. The volunteer paramedics of the Red Crescent
Hundreds of thousands of worshippers flock to Al Aqsa in Jerusalem to pray on the Night of Power near the end of Ramadan. It's the holiest date in the Muslim calendar and the busiest night of the year at Al Aqsa. The volunteer paramedics of the Red Crescent