The Ancient Agora of Athens was a central hub of Athenian life, serving as a place for socializing, conducting business, and participating in religious festivals. The site held significant importance for women, as they could gather and socialize during religious festivals, and even officiate the worship of goddess Athena. The Agora was home to important buildings, such as the Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos, and was known for its rich decoration with famous works of art.
In the 5th century BC, the Agora became the seat of the Athenian democracy, hosting the city council, law courts, and meetings of the assembly. Despite being destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC, the Athenians rebuilt the Agora, showcasing their commitment to preserving this historic site. The Agora's significance extends beyond its political and commercial roles, as it was also the setting where philosophers like Socrates and Plato shared their ideas.
Today, the Ancient Agora of Athens is an archaeological ...
Prasat Ta Moan Thom ប្រាសាទតាមាន់ធំ - ปราสาทตาเมือนธม
A unique and sizeable temple site that straddles the Cambodian and Thai border. The temple is claimed by both countries, where in Cambodia it resides in Oddor Meanchey province, while on the Thai side it sits in Surin province.
Just northwest across the border on the Thai side of the border are Prasat Ta Muen Toch one of King Jayavarman VII's arogyasalas, and Prasat Ta Muen one of King Jayavarman VII's dharmasalas.
The three temple sites were an important pit stop for travelers between Angkor in Siem Reap and Prasat Hin Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Recently, to the southwest a small temple shrine was discovered by the name Prasat Damrei Troam.
The temple site has an unusual layout in the sense that it actually opens to the south with a laterite step platform that faces to the lower plains in modern day Cambodia, when most Khmer temples traditionally open to the east. The site is attributed...
The extravagant Candle Festival ushers in the beginning of the monsoon season in Thailand. As a lunar holiday, the Candle Festival this year is held from July 7th to 13th, 2025. The Candle Float parade will take place on July 10th and 11th, 2025.
Despite being celebrated in other parts of Thailand, few cities hold the festival quite like Ubon Ratchathani, which is located in the Issan region around 500 kilometers northeast of the capital city of Bangkok.
The Candle Festival has its origin etched in tradition and religion. It is held during Asalha Bucha and Khao Phansa days—two watershed Buddhist events that mark Buddha’s first sermon and the start of Vassa (sometimes referred to as Buddhist Lent), respectively. The celebration involves colorful parades of majestic and lavish candle wax sculptures accompanied by Thai traditional music and dance.
Long before the invention of electricity, Thai Buddhists had been collecting and donating candles to their local temples to ensure that they stayed ...
Wat Lot Chong is an active temple located off the city island in the western area of Ayutthaya in the Ban Pom sub-district. Historical documents mention the temple, but specific details about its history and period of construction are not well known.
The temple is situated near other historical sites, such as Khlong Klaep, which is a defunct canal located off Ayutthaya's city island on the western side south of Wat Lot Chong.
On site is an ordination hall an open sided vihara with seating Buddha statue and other monastic structures. The ubosot was built in the Early Ayutthaya style (1351 - 1488), but its restoration dates from the Late Ratanakosin period (after 1851 AD).
The hall has two elevated porches with each two entries and the porch roof is supported by four columns. The roof of the building is three-tiered, while the longest walls have five windows each. The ordination hall is surrounded by eight "bai sema" or boundary stones, placed in the cardinal and inter-cardinal directions and protected from
...
