A
place of worship is a specially designed structure or space where individuals or a group of people such as a
congregation 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, mosques, and synagogues are examples of structures created for worship. A monastery 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.