Sanctum sanctorum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (January 2008)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

For other uses, see Sanctum Sanctorum.

Sanctum sanctorum in Badami Cave Temples

The Latin phrase sanctum sanctorum means literally "Holy of Holies." It was originally applied in a religious context to the most sacred place within a sacred building, such as a temple. However, in common usage can also be applied to mean any reserved, private, or much-valued place. The term is used in other religions to refer to a most sacred religious shrine.

Sanctum sanctorum can also be used to specify the innermost shrine of a Jewish temple, or more specifically, the innermost shrine (Kodesh Hakodashim) of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple of Solomon.

Sanctum sanctorum refers to the "garbha griha" in Hinduism, meaning the shrine inside a temple complex where the main deity is installed in an area that is in a separate building by itself inside the complex.