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Religious Travel

Buddha-Loving Termites Cause Impromptu Pilgrimage

November 17, 2008 at 12:30 PM | 0 Comments

We've told you before about some pretty strange religious pilgrimages. Most of the quests involve hordes of Catholics rushing to see apparitions of the Virgin Mary on grilled cheese sandwiches or garage doors. Now it looks like the spontaneous holy tourist attractions have crossed over to a new religion: Buddhism.

Beginning about a month ago in Cambodia, hundreds of religious citizens (which means pretty much everyone in the country) have flocked to a collection of five unusually shaped termite nests that resemble seated figures of Buddha. The mounds, discovered just outside Phnom Penh, appeared on the cement floor of the home of a woman who was about to host a death festival to honor her late husband.

Now, as long as she doesn't try to sell these peculiar piles of dirt on eBay, we'll know for sure that the people of Southeast Asia have matched their Western counterparts in kitsch but not greed.

Related Stories:
· Buddha Shaped Termite Nests in Cambodia [Inquirer.net]
· Embedded Travel Guide: Cambodia [Jaunted]

[Photo: velo steve]

Holy Travel

Holy Brawl: Christian Monks Duke it Out at Jerusalem Holy Site

November 9, 2008 at 11:43 AM | 2 Comments

When it comes to Jerusalem, you hear a lot about the tension between people of the Jewish and Muslim faiths, but not so much about the Christians, who also consider it a sacred city. A recent scuffle at one of the holiest spots in all of Christendom, however, reminds us that they're a fragmented people as well, with plenty of long-standing beefs among the various sects. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher - a Christian church located within the walled city of Jerusalem on what is believed to be the spot of Christ's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection - was the setting for a violent clash between groups of Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks this morning. As with most religious disputes, what they were fighting over is kind of complicated and goes back a long, long way, but apparently the Armenians were holding a ceremony and the Greeks felt that one of their monks had the right to be present, lest they lose their claim to a structure built on Christ's tomb. The Armenians refused to allow a Greek monk to join the ceremony, so the Greeks tried to block the procession, and that's when multiple blows were exchanged (see the BBC video) and Israeli cops rushed in and arrested one monk from each side. We're not about to diagnose the problems of the world in one blog posting, but aren't monks supposed to be loving and non-violent? In any case, the church is usually a peaceful place, and it is open to visitors of all faiths. So stop by if you're in town, and if arguments arise between believers, stay neutral and slowly back away.

[Photo: Associated Press]

Related Stories:
· Monks Brawl at Jerusalem Shrine [BBC News]
· Monks Brawl at Christian Holy Site in Jerusalem [Associated Press]
· Holy Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

Religious Travel

From Bengal to Nepal, Happy Diwali

October 28, 2008 at 10:30 AM | 1 Comment

Today marks the start of the five-day Diwali celebration, or The Festival of Lights.

The holiday has different meanings to Hindus depending on where they live, an educational site from the BBC explains. In northern India, Diwali commemorates Rama's return to India after defeating the demon king Ravana and getting his girl Sita back. In Nepal, it celebrates Krishna defeating his demon foe, Narakaasura. In Gujarat, it honors the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.

For everyone, Diwali signifies the renewal of life. Hindus today are celebrating by waking up early to take morning baths in oil, lighting candles around their homes, feasting with family, buying fancy new clothes, exchanging sweets and setting off fireworks. Sounds like the best of Halloween, Christmas and Independence Day combined. Pardon the blasphemy, but this and the infinite chances at do-overs makes this religion quite the offer for the purely opportunistic.

Related Stories:
· Diwali 101 [BBC]
· Goddess Travel: Child Deified in Nepal [Jaunted]

[Photo: P. Malik]

Religious Travel

Religious Travel: Happy Jewish New Year

September 29, 2008 at 9:45 AM | 0 Comments

For most of us, tonight is just an average Monday night. But for a Chosen Few, sundown on September 28 means the start of a New Year. Rosh Hashanah also kicks off 10 days of repentance, concluding with the most significant Jewish holiday of the year, Yom Kippur, on October 9.

Jews (and non-Jewish college kids with little to no understanding of the holiday taking advantage of the extra day off school) mostly travel home to be with family during this time. Returning to your parents split-level in the suburb may not be the most glamorous form of travel, though it's certainly the most rejuvenating--and filling.

Like most holidays, families fill the days eating. So dip that challah in honey, throw the boyos in the oven, and put some meat on your bones already. L'shanah Tova!

Related Stories:
· Savory Shephardic [SF Gate]
· Airport Photo Shoot: Natalie Portman's One Bag Alert [Jaunted]
· Religious Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: Insomniac Snack]

Religious Travel

Fall Festivals Travel: Ancestors' Day in Cambodia

September 24, 2008 at 1:30 PM | 0 Comments

In Cambodia, respect for elders extends beyond holding the door for old ladies. Even the dead get their due during Prachum Benda, also called Ancestors' Day or Festival of the Dead, which kicked off last weekend. Cambodian Buddhists believe that the deceased stuck in the spirit world need their help so families deliver food to monks in an attempt to reach the souls of their ancestors and friends by virtue of the monks' sermons.

Everything climaxes on the 15th day of the waxing moon during the tenth month of the Khmer calendar, called "Pheaktrobotr." This year, it falls on September 30.

Metropolitan Khmers flood out of the capital city of Phnom Penh to spend time with relatives at their homes in the countryside. There, they cook, pray, cook and pray some more. At the end, the hope is that loved ones received the Karmic boost they needed for reincarnation.

Related Stories:
· Temple Time in Cambodia [Jaunted]
· Cambodia Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: hanz2use]

Theme Parks

Theme Parks Travel: Pack Up the Kids... And the Bible

September 18, 2008 at 11:15 AM | 0 Comments

Attention fans of Tennessee and Christianity: Rumor has it that developers are close to deciding on the specific location for a Bible-inspired theme park in the state. A spokesman for the Entertainment Development Group wouldn't discuss any specifics regarding the park this week, but stated that the company was close to making an announcement.

The Nashville-area theme park has been in the works for more than a year, but with the new development group taking over, some believe that it's this is close to becoming a reality.

The people behind the park plan to have attractions based on biblical history and archeology but won't take an ideological stance on the Bible. Of course, residents are a little apprehensive: Many don't want the traffic and congestion associated with a theme park so close to their homes.

Related Stories:
· Bible Park Site Selection Expected Very Soon [The Tennessean]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a Bible-based park in Argentina: blmurch]

Super World Travelers

Is Virgin Mary The Ultimate Super World Traveler?

October 10, 2007 at 9:45 AM | 0 Comments

Don't say there's nothing to do in rural Pennsylvania. This weekend, state residents rushed to witness light reflected on a garage door. In the town of Minersville in the southeastern part of the state, a supposed apparition of Mother Mary appeared. She's been popping up a lot lately, first on a grilled sandwich made by a Florida woman then in a piece of dried-out firewood in Wisconsin.

Now, she's checking out the alley behind a nondenominational church. A crowd of 250 clutched rosary beads and whispered Hail Marys. It's unlikely the sighting will gain the church's approval -- the Vatican has only agreed with three of the thousands of claimed apparitions since the start of A.D., and none are in the U.S. But believers don't need the green light.

"It was so clear on Sunday," insisted Martha Wasser, 73, of Minersville. "I saw the Blessed Mother on that garage door."

Some believe she appeared to restore faith. We think she might be flaunting the ease with which the supernatural can travel (invisible floating sure beats the flight delays and traffic jams we're up against). Either way, we're here to tell you where she visits us next.

Related Stories:
· Religious Travel [Jaunted]
· Believers Flock To Minersville [Reading Eagle]

[Photo: RetroRoger1]

Religious Travel

New Year Travel: This Year In Israel

September 14, 2007 at 9:02 AM | 0 Comments

This week the Chosen People among us celebrated the turning of a new year, Rosh Hashanah. Kabbalist (and Mr. Madonna) Guy Ritchie took some time out to head for the Mediterranean Sea.

He's probably just running on the beach between trips to the synagogue, but any time is a good time for the beach. Starting the year 5768 well rested, care of the Tel Aviv InterContinental Hotel? Now that is sweet. (At least until Southwest Airlines makes you put your shirt on.)

The plans of the people we know who were celebrating included "going home for dinner," "going to temple" and "sleeping in." We must not know enough celebrities, otherwise we would know the only way to ring in a New Year is in Israel!

Related Stories:
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Tel Aviv Hotels [HotelChatter]

[Photo: Just Jared]