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Five sites across the globe have been dubbed as the ‘Gates to Hell’. These locations, including volcanoes, caves, and ancient ruins, boast eerie histories and mythical connections to the underworld
Let’s take a look at five such places on our planet that offer glimpses into ancient rituals and beliefs surrounding the Underworld. (News18 Hindi)
The concept of hell is prevalent in various religions and belief systems worldwide. In most beliefs, hell is depicted as a fiery abyss where individuals are punished for their sins after death. But does a place like hell truly exist on Earth? From time to time, it has been theorised that hell exists on this very planet. Whether that is true is up for debate, but some places on Earth surely feel supernatural.
Let’s take a look at five such places on our planet that offer glimpses into ancient rituals and beliefs surrounding the Underworld.
St. Patrick’s Purgatory, Ireland
In ancient times, this tranquil place on the island of Ireland was considered the edge of the world. According to the Roman Catholic Church, purgatory is a place where wrongdoers endure punishment for their sins. There is a small cave here, where people are said to be punished.
The 12th-century historian Gerald of Wales believed that there were nine pits in this part of the island, and if someone spent the night here, they would be attacked by ghosts.
Hekla, Iceland
Hekla is the name of a volcano in Iceland. This volcano erupted after a long period of dormancy in the year 1104, engulfing nearly half the island in smoke and ash. Evidence from ancient times suggests that lava bombs weighing up to 12 tons were also seen hurtling through the air. This volcano erupted again in the year 2000. This volcano became known as the furnace of hell.
Hierapolis, Turkey
The ancient Roman city of Hierapolis was built between 37 and 14 BC. It is believed that there was a secret door in this city that led directly to hell. In 2011, a small door was discovered that led to a small cave.
The ancient philosopher Strabo had written that if animals passed through this gate of hell, they would die instantly, but if saints entered, they would remain unharmed. He described the presence of something resembling black smoke at this location. Scientists later determined that this was due to carbon dioxide.
Gehna, Israel
Gehenna is a deep trench located just outside the walls of Old Jerusalem. According to the Bible, in ancient times, the people of Israel used to sacrifice children here. It is believed that criminals may have been thrown into Gehenna.
Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize
In Belize, a country in Central America, there is a cave that extends 5km into the Earth. Human remains have been found in this cave. The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave was discovered in 1989. Archaeologists even found the remains of four-year-old children here. Researchers believe that this cave must have been a place of sacrifice during the Mayan civilization.
How many of these places have you heard about?
