Mani-san, Ganghwa-do Island
The “Demon Expelling Mountain” is the most sacred site on Ganghwa Island of Incheon City, quite famous throughout the nation. An ancient stone shrine on its highest peak (Chamseong-dan, Truly Holy Altar, 469 meters) commands a wide view of the Yellow Sea. Many Koreans believe it to be connected to ancient nationalistic myths; on its slopes, a shrine for the national heroes has been built. Just east of this mountain is the historically important Buddhist temple Jeondeung-sa.
Martin Gray is a cultural anthropologist, writer and photographer specializing in the study of pilgrimage traditions and sacred sites around the world. During a 40 year period he has visited more than 2000 pilgrimage places in 165 countries. The World Pilgrimage Guide at sacredsites.com is the most comprehensive source of information on this subject.