shrine

A shrine is a sacred place or object dedicated to a deity, saint, or revered figure, or to the relics and sacred items associated with them. Shrines may be natural sites or man-made structures, and they function as centers of worship, pilgrimage, and remembrance within many religious traditions. They can house statues, relics, or a sacred object and may be focal points for ritual practices and prayers.

The word shrine derives from Old English scrīn meaning a chest or case, originally a reliquary, and is related to Latin scrinium. Over time, the term broadened to describe places that harbor sacred objects or preside over a cultic or commemorative function.

In Christianity, shrines often enclose relics of saints or serve as centers for pilgrimage, such as Marian shrines. In Hinduism and Buddhism, shrines are common in temples and homes; they typically house icons or devotional objects and receive offerings. In Shinto, shrines (jinja) are dedicated to kami and form an essential part of community life. In Islam, shrines and maqams or dargahs exist for respected scholars or saints, though approaches vary by tradition.

Common features include altars, candles, incense, offerings, and votive tablets or plaques. Visitors may perform prayers, bow or make signs of reverence, and participate in processions or feast days. Shrines may be maintained by religious orders, local congregations, families, or charitable trusts, and they can be important cultural and economic centers for their communities.