The Sacred Landscape of Braj, India: Imagined, Enacted and

Reclaimed Amita Sinha

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Arpit Jain
A/2346/2011

Absract
Imagined landscape is visualized though real landscape. Real landscape
helps a person to connect mentally and physically with the surrounding
space i.e. the cultural heritage of the space. The study assesses the
sacred Braj region in Northern India in accordance of physical space,
landscape and the idea of conservation, reclamation and restoration of the
site to achieve a harmonious balance in this landscape. Two sacred sites in
Braj Govardhan Hill and Yamuna River are studies as imagined and
present landscape. Insensitive development and increasing number of
pilgrims have caused continuous environmental degradation because of
negligence of proving adequate infrastructure to the site. Proposed
development to such sacred places should emphasize on community
participation in decision making and adapting plans to local site
conditions.

Keywords: Sacred landscapes, pilgrims, reclaiming, Imagined, cultural

heritage, community
participation