Significance of Sacred sites
A sacred site holds significant historical and religious importance across various traditions in South Asia. In Buddhism, these include stupas and sangharamas, which reflect spiritual values. Hindu tradition identifies sacred sites as essential for worship and pilgrimage, often linked to divine figures or events. Vaishnavism highlights locations associated with the Lord and spiritual rituals, while Purana emphasizes sites for purification and divine blessings. Overall, sacred sites are revered spaces for spiritual practices, rituals, and community engagement in South Asian cultures.
Synonyms: Holy site, Spiritual site, Hallowed ground, Shrine, Place of worship, Holy place, Sanctuary
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Sacred sites'
In Hinduism, a sacred site is a spiritually significant location for rituals and offerings, such as Bhrunagarta and Pithas, associated with divine presence, purification, and religious practices, embodying historical and spiritual importance.
From: Skanda Purana
(1) A location of spiritual significance where rituals and offerings are made to attain purification.[1] (2) Spiritual locations such as Svamipushkarini, believed to have the power to cleanse individuals of their sins.[2] (3) Locations deemed spiritually significant in Hinduism where rituals and pilgrimages occur.[3] (4) Refers to various holy places like Bhrunagarta, which hold spiritual significance and promise purification.[4] (5) A location imbued with spiritual significance, where rituals and holy practices are conducted, such as Brahmakunda.[5]
From: Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya)
(1) Locations such as Pithas that are considered to have spiritual importance within the tradition.[6]
From: Bhagavad-gita Mahatmya
(1) Locations such as Mathura and others that are revered in religious texts and deemed vital for spiritual upliftment.[7]
From: Vishnu Purana (Taylor)
(1) A significant location referred to in the text where divine events took place, specifically the site of Pindaraka.[8]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) A sacred site is a location deemed holy or important for spiritual practice, associated with various religious contexts.[9] (2) Places that hold religious or spiritual significance, which are part of the context that Dvaraka City encapsulates.[10] (3) A location of religious significance represented by various body parts.[11] (4) A location considered holy, where spiritual activities and rituals are performed.[12] (5) A designated area regarded as holy for the purpose of performing religious rituals like yajnas.[13]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A location deemed holy due to its connection with divine events or figures, exemplified by Padodaka-tirtha.[14]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) A term used to refer to holy locations of pilgrimage where manifestations of the Lord are honored and worshipped.[15]
From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)
(1) Locations that hold religious significance and are often sites of worship or pilgrimage within Hindu tradition.[16]
The concept of Sacred sites in local and regional sources
The term "Sacred site" encompasses locations like stupas and sangharamas, symbolizing both destruction by Mahirakula against Buddhist ideals and the enduring historical and religious value of structures established by figures like Ashoka-raja.
From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)
(1) Locations such as the stupa built by Ashoka-raja and the sangharama that hold historical and religious significance.[17] (2) Locations such as stupas and sangharamas that Mahirakula destroyed, signifying his contempt for Buddhist values.[18]