A
place of worship is a specially designed structure or consecrated space where individuals or a group of people such as a come to perform acts of devotion, veneration, or religious study. A building constructed or used for this purpose is sometimes called a
house of worship.
Temples,
churches, and
mosques are examples of structures created for worship. A
monastery, particularly for
Buddhists, may serve both to house those belonging to religious orders and as a place of worship for visitors. Natural or topographical features may also serve as places of worship, and are considered holy or sacrosanct in some religions; the rituals associated with the
Ganges river are an example in
Hinduism.