The Perils of ‘Conserving and Safeguarding’ Religious Heritage Sites in India

Placemaking in sacred sites involves preserving their socio-cultural and spatial essence. Post-colonial India’s modernist planning, rooted in secularism and zoning, fragmented urban life, weakening the organic ties between sacred landscapes and communities. This disconnect has led to the politicization of religious sites, often marginalizing minorities and redefining sacred spaces through nationalist narratives. Projects like the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, prioritizing tourism and economic growth, risk diminishing the lived, dynamic aspects of religious heritage. Such interventions impose a Westernized vision of heritage while eroding local traditions. A more holistic approach—integrating planning, sociology, theology, and anthropology—can sustain sacred sites while respecting their evolving cultural landscapes. UNESCO’s Cultural Landscapes framework aligns with India’s Indigenous understanding of nature and culture as inseparable. The sustainability of sacred cities is threatened by mass tourism and urbanization, with conventional planning failing to accommodate their living heritage. Sustainable development must incorporate local senses of place, community interactions, and intangible cultural practices. Sacred cities should not only be preserved but also actively shaped through participatory governance. Recognizing sacred sites as both physical and metaphysical spaces ensures their continued relevance. Integrating historical wisdom with contemporary planning fosters inclusive urbanism, where spiritual, ethical, and communal dimensions become essential to India’s sustainable urban future.