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10 Ancient Temples That Are Forgotten But Still Exist

Good and evil are two beliefs prevailing in our mind. Similarly there should be two powers in the world, one is God another is evil. To get rid of the evil powers and to thank for well-being most of us worship the almighty. As we all know god exists in some form few people believe in God only as a power but not structure, but that's completely their perceptions.

Since strong belief is the main reason behind one worshipping God, here is a list of some temples that are totally forgotten but still exist very prominently among the civilization.

1. Wat Phra Si Sanphet

During 15 century this temple of Buddha Si Sanphet was built in Thailand. Monks were not allowed to live within the temple, whereas it was used for storing royal items and royal ceremonies. Chedis are a very important aspect of Thailand's temples. When a loved one dies, after the cremation the ashes are kept in the Chedi attached to the temples.

In 1491 Ramathibodi added two chedis to Wat Phra Si Sanphet after the death of his father and brother. Seven years later, he placed a 200 kilograms gold statue of Buddha Phra Si Sanphet but unfortunately it was stolen by the Burmese Army.

2. Dwarkadhish Temple

Dwarka, anciently known as Suvarna Dwarka, is now a city under Jamnagar district, Gujarat. Dwarkadhish Temple is one of the holiest places for Hindus in the world. The main idol in the temple is of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is a five story building with 72 pillars and a 78 meter high temple spire. This 2,500 year old temple has two entrances, the northern gate is known as the Moksha Dwara and the southern Gate is known as Swarga Dwara. This temple is really a sight to see, who wish to connect with God.

3. Wat Tham Suea

Wat Tham Suea also known as Tiger Cave Temple, after tiger's paw prints were discovered on the walls of the cave. It is a Buddhist Temple in Krabi, Thailand. Almost 250 monks live and take care of the temple. Tourists gather in large numbers to visit this ancient temple and the surrounding beauty. One of the Banyan trees that grow all around is known as the Wonderful Tree and is believed to have the largest root system than any other tree in Thailand.

Archaeological research has found tools, pottery, beads and idols from the Stone Age. The cave itself is full of skulls, skeletons and explicit sculptures. The most attractive part is its shrine on the top for which you have to climb 1,200 steps.

4. Wat Tilok Aram

Wat Tilok Aram is a 500 years old Temple built by King Tilokanart of the Mengrai Dynasty. About 68 years ago it was deliberately submerged during the construction of the Phayao Lake. So to visit this temple one must take some sort of boat. The temple has witnessed a lot of damage due the water all around and left behind are four poles, some debris and a concrete wall.

5. Pyramid of The Magician

Pyramid of The Magician is in Uxmal, Mexico. Uxmal, a destroyed Mayan city in Yucatan, Mexico, has been declared as a world heritage site in 1996 by UNESCO. Pyramid of The Magician is also known as 'The House of the Dwarf', because of the belief that it was built by a Dwarf overnight. The Pyramid was built in sixth century and stands 35 meters tall. It is the biggest building in Uxmal. The Pyramid contains many temples that were built long before the Pyramid was built. It isn't uncommon for the Maya people to build a new structure on any other older structure existing.

On the top of the Pyramid on Temple named Temple IV has 12 masks hung around its doorway, which were considered to represent Chac, The god of rain. Temple V was built around A.D. 1000 and was inspired by the Governor's palace.

6. Temple of Inscriptions

Temple of Inscriptions is a Mayan Temple built on the top of a pyramid. This was constructed in A.D 672 to 682 and stands as a 20 meter tall temple with four pillars reflecting the image of several adults carrying a deformed child with snake like legs and six toes. The name of the temple comes from many inscriptions drawn on the three tablets inside. One tells about early kings, one tells about King Pakal another about the future.

7. Asamai Temple

Asamai temple is located in Kabul, Afghanistan for a long time The population of Hindus in Afghanistan has reduced to 500 from 20, 000, but Asamai Temple still stands as the Worship place of Hindus living in Afghanistan. The name Asamai came from the nearest Asamai Mountain, which is believed to be the residence of Ma Asha, the Goddess of Hope.

The legend even says that the Akhand Jyot or The perpetual light is burning from 4,000 years continuously. The temple also has a stone figure named 'Punjshir Ka Jogi'. The tale is of a Hindi ascetic who used to meditate in the Punjshir valley, but after being disturbed by the local population turned himself to a stone.

8. The Great Plaza Temples

The great plaza temples are very significant buildings of Tikal, Guatemala. It has great Mayan Temples named as Temple of The Mask or Temple of the Great Jaguar. It was built by Ah Cacio, also well known as Jasaw Chan K'awaiil. Ah Cacio could complete only one Temple, The Temple II. He left the Temple to be built as his final resting place. The Temple it was built by his son after his death over his Tomb.

9. Varah Cave Temple

Varah Cave Temple was built around 7th century, in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. As its name suggest this temple was built cutting a mountainside and has most intricate rock sculpture of Hindus and Hindu God Lord Vishnu. It has different incarnation idols of Vishnu, Lakshmi and Durga. The temple is rich in sculptures depicting the Hindu Mythology Gods, Godesses and their legends. It is one of the most ancient Temple standing still facing the Coromondal Coast of Bay of Bengal.

10. The Temple Of Dendur

The Temple of Dendur was built in 15 B.C. during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar in Egypt. It was built by the governor of Egypt, Petronius. Currently it is in New York and is being displayed at the Metropolitan Mueseum of Art. The temple was built in the honor of Goddess Isis and two other gods, Harpocrates and Osiris.

The temple of Dendur used to be on the banks of Nile, close to the Egyptian town of Tutzis. To save it from the damage caused by water, it was removed from its original site along with several other temples. Egypt was helped by the U.S. in this removing project and thus Egypt gave it to them as mark of thanks. While moving the temple was divided in to 642 blocks with an overall weight of 800 tons. It was packed among 661 crates and then shipped to U.S.
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