The Sacred Complex in Hindu Pushkar Simulators of Heritage Value

Abstract

Sacred landscapes are created through the interaction of myths, rituals, traditions, symbolic practices and human constructions such as temples, ghats and festivals. Pushkar, a Hindu pilgrimage site located near the Aravalli Hills in Rajasthan, is a collection of history, traditions, myths, legends, religion and cultural beliefs. It combines natural archetypes like Pushkar Lake with man-made centres such as the Brahma and Savitri temples. Together with the priestly specialists, these elements illustrate Pushkar as a living example of the sacred complex. The central question of this study is how Pushkar continues to function as a sacred complex while facing historical changes and contemporary pressures. It draws on fieldwork in Pushkar, supported by mythological references, historical literature, archival records and secondary ethnographic sources. It also traces the historical references of Pushkar in texts and folklore, and notes how colonial interventions shaped its use. Today, Pushkar faces multiple challenges of pollution in lakes, illegal encroachment, exploitation of natural resources, unregulated tourism and drug networks, which threaten both its tangible and intangible heritage. The study argues that while Pushkar remains a vital centre of Hindu pilgrimage and culture, its future depends on sustained efforts to conserve its sacred landscape as well as its religious and cultural heritage.