In odd religious rock news ....

Who was the editor who added this subtitle to this article on BBC travel:

In recent years, the internet has been alight with speculation that a chart-like carving in Anuradhapura is a stargate: an ancient gateway through which humans can enter the Universe.

I think I can safely say that, no, the internet has not been "alight" with stargate in Sri Lanka speculation.  A bit more about what they are talking about:

Sri Lanka's sacred city of Anuradhapura is an unlikely place to be enmeshed in a fantastic tale of UFOs and otherworldly happenings. Locally known as Rajarata (Land of Kings), the Unesco World Heritage Site was the first established kingdom on the island (in 377 BC) and is at the heart of Sri Lanka's Buddhist culture. Today, it's one of the nation's most visited places, attracting devoted pilgrims from around the country to its ancient Buddhist temples and giant dome-shaped stupas.

But this holy city is also home to something far more curious. Here, in Ranmasu Uyana (Golden Fish Park), a 40-acre ancient urban park surrounded by three Buddhist temples, is a chart that's alleged to be a map to unlock the secrets of the Universe.

The carving is of interest, but "Stargate"?  I think not:

 

Here's a line drawing apparently showing the symbols more clearly:

Who knew the Stargate would be used by fish and turtles, and involve...umbrellas?  A bit reminiscent of "so long, and thanks for all the fish"?  

Anyway, in other religion related esoteria, the Times of Israel reports:

Saudi Arabia releases first-ever photos of holy Kaaba stone

With hajj pilgrimage limited due to COVID restrictions, kingdom publishes high-resolution images of al-Hajar al-Aswad, which believers say fell from heaven at time of Adam and Eve

Here's the photo:

 This looks a little different from this:

but it's hard to tell.

I don't really understand what I am looking at:  is the whole thing a bit of meteorite, or just the black bit in the middle that's been encased is something else?   This Islamweb site has some specific instructions about how to kiss or not kiss the stone.  Making kissy noises while doing so is out, apparently.

I did do an earlier post about the Kabba - which as I noted then, is venerated but people don't seem to exactly act in awe around it.   I suppose you could say the same about some of the frenetic Catholic processions that happen with venerated statues being paraded on their feast day in parts of Europe (or elsewhere).   I wonder how many people get to touch or kiss the rock each year?   Looks to be in no danger of wearing away, at least.