|Peer Reviewed, Refereed & Open Access Journal | Follows UGC CARE Journal Norms and Guidelines|
|ISSN 2349-6037|Approved by ISSN, NSL & NISCAIR| Impact Factor: 9.274 |ESTD:2013|
|Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, and Refereed Journals, Impact factor 9.274 (Calculated by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool | Multidisciplinary, Quarterly, Citation Generator, Digital Object Identifier(DOI)|
| TITLE | Sacred Geography, Pilgrimage Economy and Cultural Continuity: A Historical Study of the Braj Region |
|---|---|
| ABSTRACT | The Braj region represents one of the most historically and culturally significant sacred landscapes in India. Traditionally associated with the life and divine activities of Lord Krishna, the region has evolved over centuries into a major centre of pilgrimage, devotional culture, and religious tourism. This research paper examines the historical evolution of Braj from ancient times to the contemporary period, highlighting the interaction between mythology, religious traditions, and socio-economic development. Using historical texts, religious literature, archaeological evidence, and scholarly studies, the research traces the emergence of Braj as a sacred geography and analyses the role of medieval Bhakti movements in revitalizing Krishna devotion. The paper also explores the economic and cultural impact of pilgrimage tourism in the region, emphasizing its contribution to local livelihoods and regional development. The study argues that Braj represents a unique example of cultural continuity where mythological narratives, historical processes, and economic activities interact within a sacred cultural landscape. The findings highlight the importance of preserving the historical heritage of Braj while promoting sustainable tourism and cultural conservation. |
| AUTHOR | Archna Mishra, Prof. Rajendra Singh, Dheeraj Mishra Rajju Bhaiya State University, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India CSJM University, Kanpur, India |
| PUBLICATION DATE | 2026-03-29 20:08:35 |
| VOLUME | 14 |
| ISSUE | 1 |
| DOI | DOI: 10.15662/IJMSERH.2026.1401037 |
| pdf/2026/1/37_Sacred Geography, Pilgrimage Economy and Cultural Continuity A Historical Study of the Braj Region.pdf | |
| KEYWORDS | |
| References | 1. Bryant, E. (2007). Krishna: A Sourcebook. Oxford University Press. 2. Eck, D. L. (2012). India: A Sacred Geography. Harmony Books. 3. Entwistle, A. (1987). Braj: Centre of Krishna Pilgrimage. Egbert Forsten. 4. Haberman, D. L. (2005). River of Love in an Age of Pollution: The Yamuna River of Northern India. University of California Press. 5. Hardy, F. (1983). Viraha Bhakti: The Early History of Krishna Devotion in South India. Oxford University Press. 6. Hawley, J. S. (2015). A Storm of Songs: India and the Idea of the Bhakti Movement. Harvard University Press. 7. Lutgendorf, P. (1991). The Life of a Text. University of California Press. 8. Michell, G. (1990). The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms. University of Chicago Press. 9. Singh, R. P. B. (2009). Sacred Geography of India. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 10. Snodgrass, A. (2007). The Symbolism of the Stupa. Motilal Banarsidass. 11. Vaudeville, C. (1980). Krishna: The Divine Lover. Oxford University Press. 12. Sharma, B. N. K. (1994). The Philosophy of Vallabhacharya. Motilal Banarsidass. 13. Dehejia, V. (1997). Indian Art. Phaidon Press. 14. Flood, G. (1996). An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge University Press. 15. Thapar, R. (2002). Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300. University of California Press. 16. Eliade, M. (1959). The Sacred and the Profane. Harcourt Brace. 17. Stietencron, H. (2005). Hindu Myth, Hindu History. Permanent Black. 18. Dalmia, V. (2017). Krishna in History, Thought and Culture. ABC-CLIO. |
Copyright@IJMSERH