Sacred space: a case of an old port city in Calicut, Kuttichira

Abstract

The evolution of sacred spaces is based on the influences or alterations of social, cultural and traditional heritage values. The layering of the original values embodied in the sacred spaces is influenced by the transforming human perceptions. Conservation of this sacred space is pre-requisite for cultural progression. Historic urban cores which define heritage character also contribute to quality of environment and continuity of sacred space. They also serve as platform for learning history, tourism development and entertainment while retaining the cultural values and norms. The quality of an intellect urging to achieve the experience of transcend is a human nature since the birth of mankind. All of the mankind have an innate emotion to seek, revere, fear, or worship to achieve the unknown. Religion is one of the dominating component in portraying the sacred values and desires of humans. It is an agency for achieving enlightenment for some people. The spaces used for the religious activities such as worshiping, praying and chanting are the palpable connect to the metaphysical realm of the religion. Achieving the unknown is the intangible purpose and religion is the tangible aid for achieving it.