Nagali

Nagali is an ancient temple carved into the sandstone cliffs of the Great Plateau. It is situated near the northern edge of The Southern Sand Plains in Ghynzua and is the largest carved out temple in the area. It was part of the Nagal Civilization but was abandoned in the aftermath of The Pulse.

Purpose

Nagali, as it is still called by the desert people of the south, was once the center of an old religion practised by the Nagal who made the desert their home. Thanks to the tales told by their descendants historians know that during its heyday the temple was used for important religious practices. During the most important ceremonies hundreds of people gathered in the main hall. Priestesses used to live in the temple and were available all year round for anyone who needed guidance. Some historians belief that part of the complex was also used as a hospital where priestesses treated the sick or injured.

Architecture

Rays of sun dot the tiled floor of the grand hall. They are guided through holes in the mountainside which have pieces of mirrored glass installed into them. How these people managed to create them is still a mystery to us today. The effect however is breathtaking as particles of dust twirl through the sunbeams.

— Excerpt from Ancient Civilizations by Jareb Bonavine

From the outside Nagali does not look very impressive. It is only after venturing inside that the massive size of the site becomes clear. From the entrance a wide staircase goes down into the mountain and opens up into an impressive hall with a length of 250 metres and a width of 100 metres. The ceiling is almost 32 metres high and supported by hundreds of pillars carved out in the sandstone. One would expect this hallway to be very dark, but the opposite is true. Through shafts carved out into the mountain sunlight is directed into the hall with the use of what appears to be mirrored glass. It is unknown how these people made mirrors, or where they got it from if they did not make it themselves. From the main hall several hallways go deeper into the mountain. The complex structure of these hallways makes them easy to get lost in. They lead to 315 rooms of various sizes. Some have carved out alcoves which were probably used to sleep in. Others were most likely used for storing various items like food, water, fabric, tools, religious artefacts, and so much more. Although any items of value or use have been taken long ago it is believed that the temple was once filled with hundreds of important religious artefacts.

Tourism

Only 12 km from Nagali the bustling city of Ohsawu basks in the sunlight. Although the city used to trive mostly on traffic and trade from the Dream Road it has since found an extra source of income through tourism. There is a multitude of lodging options for visitors, and various types of excursions of which Nagali is by far the most popular. Thousands of people visit the site every year. Some of whom come from other parts of the world.

Desert during Nightime by Walid Ahmad

RUINED STRUCTURE
7 AP

Founding Date

Unknown

Type

Cathedral / Great temple

Parent Location

The Southern Sand Plains

Owning Organization

Ghynzua

Brown Tomb by Jose Aragones