Sacred earth

South-central Turkey: Mysterious stone heads rest on the ground among other enigmatic mythological figures at the ancient mountaintop shrine of Nemrut Dagi Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

Glastonbury, England: The mystic Glastonbury Tor abounds with legends of dragons and fairies, sagas and shamans, as well as King Arthur Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

Šiauliai, Lithuania: On the Hill of Crosses, a statue of the Virgin Mary stands out in relief against the densely clustered crosses Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

Qom, Iran: The minaret of Jamkaran Mosque, is graced with verses of the Koran written in classical Arabic and with exquisitely laid tile work Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

Djenné, Mali: Although the Great Mosque incorporates architectural elements found in mosques around the world, it reflects the aesthetics and materials used for centuries by the people of Djenné Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

Nile Province, Sudan: The tomb pyramids of Meroë rise dramatically above the dunes. The tombs were once filled with the treasures of the kings and queens who were buried there Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

Tiruchchirappalli, India: Most of the Srirangam temple complex standing today, including a grand hall of 1,000 beautifully sculptured pillars, was constructed between the 14th and 17th centuries Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

Gujarat, India: The rounded peak of Shatrunajaya rises 610m above the town of Palitana and is capped with a complex of 863 beautiful temples. While some are as old as the 11th century (although the religious use of the site is far older), most date from the 1500s, after Muslim invaders destroyed the earlier shrines Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

Karnataka, India: A view from behind the statue of Sri Gomatheswar atop the hill of Sravanabelagola; it is the world's tallest freestanding statue Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

Mandalay, Burma: The Mahamuni statue, 4m tall and originally cast of metal, is now entirely coated with a layer of gold leaf 5cm thick. So much gold leaf has been applied by so many different hands that the figure has developed an irregular outline Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

Kailash Range, south-western Tibet: Mt. Kailash is one of the world's most sacred but least visited sites. No planes, trains or buses journey anywhere near the region, and even in all-terrain vehicles, the trip still requires travel through difficult, often dangerous terrain. The weather, always cold, can be unexpectedly treacherous, and pilgrims must carry all the supplies they will need for the entire journey Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

New Mexico, United States: An aerial view of the Pueblo Bonito ruins shows the range of architectural features that made up this once-bustling Anasazi community. The circular structures known as kivas were used for ceremonial purposes Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance

Kathmandu, Nepal: The golden spire of the mysterious Swayambhunath Stupa; painted on all four sides are the all-seeing eyes of God Photograph: Martin Gray/Freelance