From the Ganges River to the Vatican: Some of the world's top pilgrimage sites

Every year millions of people of different faiths go on pilgrimages to seek spiritual renewal and fulfillment. In a recent report the Huffington Post cited 14 of the world's top pilgrimage sites visited by around 100,000,000 people every year—sites that carry religious significance to different people from all over the world. (1) India Estimated number of Filipinos in India: 2,148* The Ganges River Folklore say that Ganga, the goddess whom the river is named after, poured herself from the heavens to cleanse the souls of King Sarga’s sons. With the belief that anyone who touches the waters of the Ganga is purified from sins, over 20 million visitors travel to India to get cleansed. The river which stretches from the Bay of Bengal all the way to the mountainous Himalayas is measured at 1,560 miles. Golden Temple The Golden Temple in Amritsar is a pillar of faith for Sikh practitioners. The elegance of the temple draws in an average of 50,000 daily visitors coming from all walks of life and religion. Vaishno Devi Temple Looming over the land at 5,200 feet, the Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most sacred sites of Hinduism. It is India’s second most popular religious site with eight million visitors every year despite being located in the mountainous state of Jammu and Kashmir. Bodhi Tree The Bodhi Tree in Bihar, also referred to as the “World Tree,” is deemed sacred to Buddhists for they believe that Siddhartha Gautama meditated here for 49 days before his enlightenment. Between 800,000 to one million people visit the Bodhi Tree yearly. (2) Mecca Estimated number of Filipinos in Saudi Arabia: 1,550,572* The Mecca is the most sacred place for Islam. A Muslim should go on pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his life. Over 13 million Muslims visit the Mecca each year making it one of the world’s most frequented sacred sites. During the period of Hajj (pilgrimage), about two million Muslims visit the Mecca to give thanks to Allah. (3) Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica, Mexico Estimated number of Filipinos in Mexico: 771* The Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico is one of the most visited churches in the world. When it comes to the number of visitors it receives each year, it is only next to Saint Peter’s Basilica with close to 10 million visitors each year. It is said that a “Lady from Heaven” appeared to Saint Juan Diego and instructed him to build a church on the site. This eventually led to the construction of the basilica. (4) Lourdes, France Estimated number of Filipinos in France: 50,936* Located in the French south is the town of Lourdes, where Catholics seek healing and recount the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a poor young girl -- Saint Bernadette Soubirous in the 1800s. The Virgin Mary appeared to Soubirous to ask her to tell the priests to build a chapel there. The chapel is located near a mysterious fountain that has brought healing to thousands of pilgrims. There have been at least 4,000 recorded cures of diseases of every kind -- from cancer to tuberculosis to sores, deafness and blindness. The town enjoys seven million annual visitors. (5) Israel Estimated number of Filipinos in Israel: 34,748* Bahai Gardens A UNESCO world heritage site, the Bahai Gardens, more popularly known as the Hanging Gardens of Haifa, receives over half a million visitors each year. The symmetrical design of the garden gives visitors a relaxing and serene feel of the place making it a true marvel of the modern era.  Jerusalem The bustling capital of Israel, Jerusalem is a religious hotbed for people all around the world. The culture and history that is etched along its walls are also something to be awed about. Three religions -- Christianity, Islam, and Judaism -- consider Jerusalem as a sacred site. Over two million tourists visit it every year. Christians believe that Jesus Christ was crucified here. Jews see it as the Biblical Zion or a place where believers gather. For Muslims, this is where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. Bethlehem The city of Bethlehem is where Jesus, believed by Christians as the savior of humanity, was born. Overflowing with rich historical sites, nearly 1.4 million visit the city annually with hotels booked to the brim especially during the Christmas season.  (6) Vatican Estimated number of Filipinos in the Vatican: 3,235* Vatican city is the seat of the pope, the most powerful pontiff of Catholics and is visited by 4.2 million devotees yearly. The city-state which has been independent and self-governing since 1929 is surrounded by numerous monuments to Saints. It is said that Saint Peter died here and a Basilica in his memory is now erected.   (7) Machu Picchu Estimated number of Filipinos in Peru: 318* From May to September, an estimated 2,500 people visit the site daily. The Macchu Pichu is an Incan pilgrimage site believed to have been the private estate of emperor Pachacuti. (8) Rumi's Tomb Estimated number of Filipinos in Turkey: 5,593* Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi, founder of the Mevlevi Sufi Brotherhood and one of the most widely read poets in the world, died in Konya on December 17, 1273. Today, his tomb averages two million visits per year from Muslims and foreigner tourists alike. (9) Stonehenge Estimated number of Filipinos in the United Kingdom: 220,000* Until today, no one has uncovered the mystery of the Stonehenge, estimated to have been built over 4,000 years ago. All we know is that it might have been a prehistoric religious site for people. Today it boasts 80,000 visitors every year who come to be mystified by the ancient stone monument. - VVP, GMA News *Data based from the 2011 Stock Estimate of Filipinos Overseas from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.