There are a significant number of holy sites around the world but I wanted to compile a list of some of the holiest sites on/overlooking water. Be it river, bridge, town by a sea, temple overlooking a lake – some of these sites are in stunning locations making the experience there very spiritual. This list is in no particular order and you will notice that some countries appear more than once. Enjoy.

Puri Beach - by Wikipedia user Matanya

Puri Beach, India

Located in the state of Orissa, according to legend, Lord Jagannath was found floating atop a log on the sea shore and the Jagannath temple was built on the beach premises in his honor. Believers sip the water in attempt to get closer to securing a place in Nirvana.

Tinos Island, Greece by Flickr user Bernd Völcker

Tinos Island, Greece

Known in antiquity for its temples to Poseidon and Dionysus, Tinos is also one of the holiest places in Greece for Christians. It unsure exactly when Christian presence was established but what is known is that a Byzantine church was built on the foundations of the temple of Dionysus. This church was eventually burnt down by invaders and eight centuries later, a nun named Pelagia had visions of the Virgin Mary instructing Pelagia to dig in a specific field where she would find a sacred icon. Sure enough the icon was unearthed and further archaeological excavations determined that the particular field was the filed where the Byzantine Church once stood and the temple of Dionysus before it.

Varanasi, India by Flickr user Ken Wieland

Varanasi, India

Varanasi also known as Benares/Banaras and Kashi is a holy city on the banks of the River Ganges in the state if Udann Pradesh, Inda. It is the holiest place in the Hindu religion but it is also a very important religious place to Buddhists and Janis.

Lake Manasarovar - by Wikipedia user AaxxII

Lake Manasarowar, Tibet

According to Hinduism, Lake Manasa Sarovar symbolizes purity, and anyone who drinks water from the lake is guaranteed a place in the care of the Lord Shiva in the afterlife.

Crater Lake Oregon

Crater Lake, Oregon, USA

According to Native American legend, Mount Mazama, once the home of Chief Llao of the Below World was destroyed in a battle with Chief Skell of the Above World. The culmination of the battle resulted in the eruption of Mt. Mazama and the creation of Crater Lake.

The Temple of Isis on Philae Island

Philae Island, Egypt

Although not the original island which is completely underwater, today’s Philae Island is still home to a great temple built in honor of the goddess Isis. In fact, the original island was the center for worship of Isis.

Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia

Pura Tanah Lot in Bali is supposedly founded by Hindu priest Nirartha, one of the last priests to come to Bali. The formation itself is due to natural water erosion.

Wat Arun - by Hartfried Schmid

Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand

Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, was the former location of the Emerald Buddha prior its move to Wat Phra kaew. It was originally called the Olive Temple but its name changed a few times before its completion during King Rama IV’s reign after which it was called Wat Arunratchawararam. The stunning Buddhist temple overlooks the Chao Phraya River and best seen during the sunset from across the river.

Solovetsky Monastery

Solovetsky Islands, Russia

Sitting on the Solovetsky Islands in the White Sea is the Solovetsy Monastery, once the greatest site of Christianity in Northern Russia. Unfortunately between 1926 and 1939, the monastery was converted into a Soviet prison and labor camp. It became the prototype for the GULAG system.

Tirtha Empul - by Flickr user Shreyans Bhansali

Pura Tirtha Empul, Bali, Indonesia

Balinese Hindus come to Pura Tirtha Empul and drink from the sacred springs created by Indra. According to Balinese legend, Indra’s troops were poisoned so he pierced the earth and created a fountain of immortality in order to save his men. This could very well be the fountain of youth…

Skellig Michael Island

Skellig Michael, Ireland

Also known as Great Skellig, Skellig Michael  is a steep rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean which houses one of the most famous medieval monasteries and probably the most inaccessible one at that. This island was the center of Irish Monk hood for 600 years.