“Kashi Vishvanatha Kshetra in Historic Context”, a Narrative landscape in Varanasi, India”

Volume: 07 | Issue: 02 | Year 2024 | Subscription
International Journal of Architectural Heritage
Received Date: 06/10/2024
Acceptance Date: 09/13/2024
Published On: 2024-09-20
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By: Divay Gupta

Divay Gupta, PhD scholar, Department of Architectural Conservation,School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi, India

Abstract

Abstract

This essay describes how the Kashi Visvanatha temple and its holy grounds have changed since they were first mentioned in the sixth century BCE. The patron deity of Varanasi, Vishvanatha, also known as Vishveshvara, is a manifestation of Shiva, who is considered the Lord of the World (also called Kashi/Banaras). The temple faced destruction, demolition, reconstruction, contestation, and recent resurrection in its history spanning more than a millennium. In 1777 CE under the patronage of Ahilyabai, the present temple of Vishvanatha was re-constructed for the 4th time. By the 19th century CE, the area surrounding the temple became a sanctuary of gods associated with Shiva. Within this dense habitation, a unique circumambulation called the Antragrihi yatra, defined, connected and celebrated this sacred landscape. The renewal of this area was initiated in 2017, to create Kashi Vishvanatha Dham.  The historic settlement was replaced with a huge complex that has been developed with tourist and recreational facilities. This ambitious plan for promoting heritage tourism under Smart City, where new developments are structured to superimpose ‘heritagization’ under the umbrella of ‘Hindu Resurrection’ through a model of Neo-modernism, are looked in the historical context of the site and its potential for the sustainable development of Varanasi.

Keywords: Vishvanatha sacred-scape, Archetypal temples, Ahilya Bai, Todar Mal, Antragrihi yatra, Kashi Vishvanatha Corridor, Inclusive Heritage development.

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How to cite this article: Divay Gupta, “Kashi Vishvanatha Kshetra in Historic Context”, a Narrative landscape in Varanasi, India”. International Journal of Architectural Heritage. 2024; 07(02): -p.

How to cite this URL: Divay Gupta, “Kashi Vishvanatha Kshetra in Historic Context”, a Narrative landscape in Varanasi, India”. International Journal of Architectural Heritage. 2024; 07(02): -p. Available from:https://journalspub.com/publication/kashi-vishvanatha-kshetra-in-historic-context-a-narrative-landscape-in-varanasi-india/
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