A shrine is a holy or sacred place sometimes dedicated towards a certain god, goddess, saint, or similar religious figure.
As distinguished from a temple, a shrine is usually located because it houses a particular relic or cult image which is the object of worship or veneration, or because it is constructed on a site which is thought to be particularly holy, as opposed to being placed for the convenience of worshippers. As such, shrines are associated with the practice of pilgrimage. Roman Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Shinto are major religions that have places of worship that are frequently called shrines. A Buddhist shrine is sometimes called a stupa. In Shinto, small portable shrines are often carried in religious processions.
The word is also used to designate a small altar in a home or place of business, or a room or item of furniture which is furnished with religious symbols and used for private worship.
In the United States, several landmarks are called "historic shrines." High ranking Freemasons may join the Shriners, a benevolent and charitable organization.
By extension the term shrine has come to mean any place (or virtual cyber-place) dedicated completely to a particular person or subject.
A shrine, from the Latin scrinium (‘box’; also used as a desk, like the French bureau) is originally a container, usually in precious materials, especially for a relic and often a cult image, and/or a holy or sacred place containing the same, dedicated towards a certain deity, saint, or similar religious figure.
As such, shrines are associated with the practice of pilgrimage.
Unlike a church or a mosque, a jinja traditionally has neither characteristics of a chapel nor a place for propagation; its sole purpose is for the enshrinement and worship of a kami.
It is believed that a jinja had originally been only a temporary shrine constructed for a periodical matsuri at a sacred place such as a mountain or cave.
Some shrines are established to worship living people or figures from myths and legends.
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