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Shrine, Shrine

Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated. A shrine at which votive offerings are made is called an altar. Shrines are found in many of the world's religions, including Catholicism, Shia Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Wicca, LaVeyan Satanism, Chinese folk religion and Shinto, as well as in secular and non-religious settings. Shrines can be found in various settings, such as churches, temples, cemeteries, or in the home, although portable shrines are also found in some cultures.

These such sites commonly become places of pilgrimage, such as the Christian shrines in Lourdes and Walsingham, and the Ka'bah in Mecca, the most sacred site in Islam.

A shrine here is usually the centre of attention in the building, and is given a place of prominence. In such cases, adherents of the faith assemble within the building in order to venerate the deity at the shrine.

As distinguished from a temple, a shrine usually houses a particular relic or cult image, which is the object of worship or veneration, or is constructed to set apart a site which is thought to be particularly holy, as opposed to being placed for the convenience of worshippers. Shrines therefore attract the practice of pilgrimage.

Roman Catholicism, the largest denomination of Christianity, has many shrines, as does Orthodox Christianity; however Protestantism, another type of Christianity, is typically opposed to them.

Side altars, where Mass could actually be celebrated, were used in a similar way to shrines by parishioners. Side Altars were specifically dedicated to The Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph or other saints.

Shrines are even made in honour of the descendants of Shah Imms, thus the Persian word imamzadeh . There are also sunnite equivalents, as among the ascetic marabouts of West Africa and the Maghreb.

Shrines are typically located inside a temple known as a mandir, though many Hindus also have a household shrine as well. Sometimes a human is venerated at a Hindu shrine along with a deity, for instance the 19th century religious teacher Sri Ramakrishna is venerated at the Ramakrishna Temple in Kolkata, India.

Monks, nuns and laypeople all give offerings to these revered figures at these shrines and also meditate in front of them.

However, they are more commonly referred to with the term "altar." In other Pagan religions, shrines may be dedicated to one or many different Gods and Goddesses. As in Wicca, household worship is usually centered around them.

Spiritualism, whilst believing in a God, does not typically make use of shrines.

Source: Wikipedia > Shrine