About this book:

In *Sacred Circuits: Mapping Religion, Pilgrimage, and Power in India*, the intricate relationship between faith and the physical landscape is explored through a groundbreaking anthropological lens. This study moves beyond the spiritual to reveal how India’s vast networks of pilgrimage routes, temple towns, and sacred shrines function as powerful engines of economic exchange and political influence. By examining the governance of wealthy temple trusts and the "sacred economies" that sustain millions, the book illustrates how religious institutions often rival the state in their capacity for resource mobilization, social welfare, and local governance.

Spanning twenty-five detailed chapters, the book traverses the diverse ritual geographies of Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It tackles critical contemporary issues, including the "politics of purity" and caste exclusion, the gendered barriers women face in sacred spaces, and the transformative impact of the digital age on ancient traditions. From the environmental toll of mass pilgrimage on fragile ecosystems to the rise of transnational diaspora networks, the text provides a nuanced look at how traditional devotion adapts to modern pressures like urbanization and technological innovation.

Designed for scholars, policymakers, and curious readers alike, *Sacred Circuits* offers a comprehensive cartography of power in the subcontinent. It highlights how myths and memory transform the natural environment into a "hallowed terrain" while simultaneously addressing the conflicts and negotiations that occur when sacred space is contested. Ultimately, this work provides an essential framework for understanding how religion continues to shape—and be shaped by—the dynamic interplay of tradition, modernity, and social justice in contemporary India.

What You'll Find Inside:

• An analysis of 'sacred circuits'—the vast networks of pilgrimage routes, temple towns, and shrines that act as nodal points for India's economic and political power.
• Insight into 'sacred economies' and temple trusts, detailing how religious institutions manage massive revenues, landholdings, and social welfare systems that rival state governance.
• Exploration of the 'politics of purity,' examining how caste and gender hierarchies traditionally control access to sacred spaces and how these exclusions are being challenged.
• A study of syncretism and shared sacred sites where multiple faith traditions (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, etc.) intersect, alongside the conflicts that arise from contested hallowed terrain.
• The impact of the digital age and globalization on faith, featuring the rise of virtual darshan, transnational diaspora networks, and the environmental challenges of mass religious tourism.

Who's It For:

This book is designed for scholars and students of anthropology, religious studies, and South Asian politics who are interested in the intersection of faith and governance. It is also an essential resource for policymakers and urban planners working in India who need to understand the social and economic influence of religious infrastructures. Additionally, informed readers interested in the evolving role of traditional pilgrimage in a modern, globalized, and digital world will find the analysis particularly valuable.