Retaining traditional spatial character in a rapidly transoforming urban context: case of Ayodhya

Abstract

Ayodhya, being one of the most sacred places is known as the legendary capital of Rama; and nowadays one of the most important places of pilgrimage in India with special reference to its sacred cultural landscapes. Ayodhya the Birthplace of load Rama attracts a huge number of pilgrim tourists to the city. This city has its essence as a religious place and its historically rich places. In Ayodhya, the era of Lord Rama can be seen through the cultural characteristics of the city. Culture denotes a historically transmitted pattern of meanings embodied in symbols, a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms using which men communicate, perpetuate, and develop their knowledge about and attitudes toward life. The development of Ayodhya is taking place as a religious tourism city, it attracts both foreign and domestic tourists. Elaborating on the theme of religious tourism within the city will be beneficial for the physical and economic growth of the city. Religious tourism refers to contemporary patterns of visitation to places of religious importance or pilgrimage sites where visitors aim to fulfill religious needs and recreational needs. Religious tourism reflects the religious aspect seen in pilgrimage and the touristic aspect of sightseeing and involves a change away from the regular environment. According to Turner 1978, tourism in religious and heritage cities comprises three key elements: motivation, journey, and destination. Based on this structure, when a journey has an exclusively religious character with a motivation for spiritual or religious fulfillment, a visitor is considered to be a pilgrim; therefore, there is greater intensity and frequency of behaviors associated with that sphere: overnight stays in religious structures, participation in religious services, celebrations and rituals. However, the same may not be true for travelers who are driven by a combination of religious and non-religious motives, as their motivation is to experience “spectacle” aspects and practice forms of consumption that are absent in the typical image of a pilgrim. Thus, the exclusivity and intensity of a religious motive may help to consider a visit to a holy place as more of a pilgrim than a tourist or vice versa The intent is to retain the cultural aspects and enhance religious tourism in the city. Ayodhya city has a high potential to attract tourists and due to the special cultural atmosphere thereof, it is possible to develop religious-cultural tourism. Religious tourism deepens and connects people personally to a holy place, makes them feel free from worry, and helps to find peace and meaning in life. Religious tourism acts as a unique type of cognitive tourism that satisfies the interests of passengers and allows them to go through the process of religious cults, rituals, and rites, and observe and live with them. Religious tourism usually involves the observation of religious institutions, the performance of sects as well as visiting museums and exhibitions. This city attracts a large number of tourists every year, especially on the occasion of Ram Navami.