Conservation of sacred landscapes, a case study of Sapt Sagar, Ujjain

Abstract

Religious signs, rituals, etiological myths, theonyms and epithets, as well as human constructions (e.g. architecture) together create a web of ciphers and symbols that make up the sacred landscape of a region. Ujjain a pilgrim center, located on the eastern bank of river Kshipra in Madhya Pradesh (Central India) is deemed to be an agglomeration of history, traditional beliefs, myths and legends. A visible emblem of sacred heritage and a major link in religious network of Hindu India, exhibits all the tangible and intangible layers of sacred landscape that has shaped or influenced Hindu ritualistic behavior. But the constant pressure of urban development and increased religious tourism on this sacred landscape has led to illegal encroachment, degradation of flood plains, pollution of watershed, exploitation of natural resources, lack of social awareness and mismanagement by concerned government agencies, etc. . Hence, the research aims to map and identify those critical spaces having a negative impact on the natural ecology as whole and prepare a landscape conservation plan to preserve the sense of continuity and resilience of a sacred city with a demonstration of a Case study of Sapt Sagars , Ujjain.