Below is an index of sacred waters - lakes, rivers, springs and wells - that have been profiled on Sacred Destinations so far. Most sacred waters are believed to bring healing, both physical and spiritual, while some have other special powers such as preventing reincarnation (as the Ganges River) or aiding vision quests (as Crater Lake).
 |
Crater Lake, Oregon, USA This spectacular mountain lake in the Cascade Mountains is widely renowned for its great depth and beauty. It is considered sacred by the Klamath Indians. |
 |
Ganges River at Varanasi, India Varanasi is the holiest site in the world for all Hindus, irrespective of denomination, in large part because of its location along the holy Ganges River. Hindus have long believed that bathing in the Ganges or dying in the holy city of Varanasi circumvents reincarnation and hence provides a permanent place in the Swarg (Heaven). |
 |
Grotto of Massabielle, Lourdes, France Part of the popular Catholic shrine of Lourdes in southern France, this is the grotto in which the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette in 1858. It also the source of the shrine's healing waters, which are collected by pilgrims from around the world for physical and spiritual healing. |
 |
Lake Titicaca, Bolivia and Peru This sacred lake, which is among the highest and deepest lakes in the world, lies on the border between Peru and Bolivia. The Incas believed it was from here that Viracocha rose up to create the first humans. |
 |
Sea of Galilee, Israel The Sea of Galilee, a large lake in Israel, is not generally considered a sacred lake in the same way as the others listed on this page, but for Christians it is an important part of the Holy Land, for it was on these waters that Jesus sailed, preached, and performed miracles. In addition to the link above, see Tabgha and the Jesus Boat. |
