Cities and religion are deeply intertwined as landmarks play a significant role in religion and influence each other. A city takes on a religious identity when its spiritual significance is highlighted. Conversely, a religious site transforms into a town as pilgrims and devoted followers settle around it, drawn by its sacredness. More than landmarks, the geographical setting or a geographical phenomenon plays a major role in affirmations of religious significance. For instance, the Kumbh mela at Prayagraj or the widely known ephemeral city, takes place at the triveni sangam which is a confluence of three sacred rivers according to Hindu texts, the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati.
Throughout history, religion has been a source of hope and harmony, often manifesting goodwill. However, it has the reverse capability of bringing about war, bloodshed and disharmony among different groups. As a result, many religious cities constructed gates and established boundaries for protection. Every religion has stories to tell that link the past together, relate to the present, and bring hope for the future.
City and religion
Geography and religion are important in sacred cities on cosmic and macro scales. They have been prevalent in different faiths for centuries and are established based on various components such as structures, holy events, or their location within the cosmos. Devotees visit these cities as a show of good faith and pilgrimages contribute to the success or decline of their economies. For instance, Bodh Gaya.It is known as the place where lord buddha attained enlightenment. The Bodhi tree is now a spiritual landmark for Buddhists making it a spiritual hub. Once a part of the Mauryan empire, Bodh Gaya, houses temples and monasteries of Buddha built by Buddhist temples and monasteries have been built by the people around the world, making it a centre of international spiritual confluence. Thus, shaping the urban setting of the place.
Sacred spaces are often developed through religion, but history and overall culture can influence not only the construction of a space but also its surrounding area. Ancient religious cities emerged as profound urban centres which intertwined with spiritual and cosmological beliefs. The religious cities are mostly aligned with cosmic phenomena and natural landmarks which supports their spiritual importance. Through religious structures, such as temples or shrines, the axis mundi or centre of the universe the city showcases its sacredness. Their layouts included pilgrimage routes, communal plazas, and ceremony spaces, reflecting their sacred significance.
Monumental architecture plays an important role in depicting grandness and superiority to uphold sacredness. For example, the Pyramids of Giza. The hierarchical planning of the city defines the sacred and profane, For instance, the temple city of Madurai. The city of Madurai has the Meenakshi temple as the center which is then surrounded by layers of streets with markets and then the residential areas. Religious cities also served as political capitals where rulers claimed divine sanction.
The religious city also acts as a learning center where spiritual, historical and linguistic knowledge is preserved, such as Nalanda. Religion and spirituality delve into the concept of life and death. Few cities practice rituals that emphasize the afterlife. Festivals and rituals celebrated in the religious cities bring religious tolerance among several religions. They also for the cultural identity while blending sacred and secular life. Religious towns have developed to reflect and uphold the social and spiritual values of their respective cultures throughout history.
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is revered by Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The city is a combination of cultural exchanges, practicality, and symbolic ties. The temple mound serves as the axis mundi. Thus, connecting visual connection to spiritual belief and the modern holy city reflects the fusion of religious and cosmic order and is in line with the cardinal directions. Sacred places become more spiritually relevant for reflection and connection when orientated towards astronomical occurrences.
Access to holy and secular places is possible via the Golden Gate and the Dung Gate in Jerusalem‘s fortified city. The city is divided into sacred and secular areas. The temple mound is surrounded by places dedicated to religious practice and further by residential and commercial and residential areas. Administrative spaces are placed near sacred sites. Jerusalem’s diverse topography and defensive walls delineate sacred and secular zones while symbolising divine protection.
Varanasi
Varanasi is the spiritual centre for Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The sacred Ganges river is bordered by over 80 ghats, including Dashashwamedh Ghat, renowned for its Ganga Aarti ceremony, and Manikarnika Ghat, a major cremation site. Varanasi’s mandala-like design positions the Vishwanath Temple as the axis mundi, while its alignment with the river enhances the city’s sense of cosmic harmony. The city features a complex network of streets and alleyways closely tied to its religious significance, with many important temples and ghats scattered throughout the city. The streets of Varanasi reflect its ancient history and spiritual importance as a major pilgrimage site.
The streets of Varanasi reflect its ancient history and spiritual importance as a major pilgrimage site. While the dilemma of preserving the past or modernising for the future to accommodate the yearly influx of people in the city pertains, Initiatives by the INTACT and the local government are taken to restrict modernity and preserve the past by adaptive reuse of heritage buildings and sustainable practices. Varanasi portrays the interdependence of life and death, particularly through its cremation ghats. Because of its long history of balancing religious convictions with city life, Varanasi has maintained its attracting pilgrims.
Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan is a religious urban center, Renowned for its monumental architecture and cosmological design, the city became a vibrant hub for culture, religion, and trade. The sacred central Pyramid Complex includes the Pyramid of the Sun, moon, and temple, with intricate serpent carvings and rain symbols dedicated to the deity Quetzalcoatl. As the largest structure in Teotihuacan, the Pyramid of the Sun is aligned with the sunset on specific days of the year, symbolizing the significance of solar worship and the cosmic order. At the northern end of the city lies the Pyramid of the Moon, which represents essential themes of water, fertility, and the lunar calendar.
The temples and plazas are connected by the avenue of the dead which is believed to be a spiritual pathway linking the living to the divine. The city is distinguished into sacred and profane zones. The northern section houses the holy places and the other for residential areas with complex hierarchies accommodating elites, artisans, and commoners. Teotihuacan’s layout, which is notable for being 15.5° east of true north, reflects a strong link to sacred mountains or celestial occurrences. The city’s distinct water management system includes advanced canals and reservoirs, highlighting engineering skills and understanding of their environment. As the city aligns with the topography and has its sacred meaning, it connects the earth, sky and the underworld.
Lhasa
The sacred city of Tibetian Buddhism is Lhasa which is the centre of Tibet’s religious, cultural, and political life. Its spatial organization combines religious cosmology with daily urban experiences. The central Jokhang Temple houses the revered statue of Jowo Shakyamuni, which draws pilgrims and serves as a focal point for rituals. The Barkhor circuit or Barkhor kora is a circumambulation part around the temple where pilgrims walk in a clockwise direction chanting mantras making it one of the sacred paths.
Dominating the skyline is the Potala Palace which represents Mount Meru and historically functioned as both the residence of the Dalai Lama and the seat of governance. Lhasa is a blend of sacred and profane spaces where sacred sites are surrounded by layers of neighbourhoods for monks and commoners such as traders, and artisans.
Tibetan geomancy is a mixture of principles from Chinese feng shui and Indian Vastu shastra. As a blend of two different yet similar elemental concepts, Tibetan geomancy gives importance to its natural landscape which includes sacred mountains and rivers, contributing to its spiritual significance. Tibetan geomancy is about balancing natural elements and integrating them into urban scape. It ensures minimal disruption to the natural environment and incorporates green spaces and sacred groves by taking into account the slopes and natural features. It is believed that aligning buildings with these elements brings balance and prosperity, hence sacred sites and temples are strategically located to maintain spiritual energy.
This approach promotes a harmonious relationship between people, nature, and the cosmos. Overall, Lhasa’s urban planning, inspired by the mandala concept, connects sacred and secular elements, showcasing the profound relationship between Tibetan Buddhist cosmology and urban design, ensuring its status as a dynamic cultural and religious hub
In conclusion, although the religions practised in different cities may vary, a common characteristic among all religious cities is their reverence for nature, cosmic events, and the creation of visual connections. The idea of God seems to have evolved later; at first, early religious rituals were centred on respect for nature and the development of an optimistic outlook on life.
The numbers connected to these holy cities are what are really astounding. Considering the limited technology and engineering advancements of ancient times, how did people create systems that intertwined cosmology, nature, and monumental structures with seemingly unbounded scale? These ancient cities, whether in ruins or continuously inhabited, stand as testimonies to the past and display the awe-inspiring achievements of ancient engineering.
Moreover, the stories of the past contributed to the evolution of today’s religions. These stories which correspond to cosmic events, show how advanced these ancient societies were. Through religious context, the knowledge of construction, cosmological events, the importance of order and direction, and worship of the solar entities, the knowledge was passed down for centuries. This knowledge is being scientifically approached to get practical answers on how, what and why. There are multiple mysteries unresolved about religion and architecture. Still, these living examples stand as a bridge to religious beliefs, human aspirations and curiosity to find answers to the past and take forward the knowledge gained to create an architectural marvel.
Reference:
- “A Fascinating Biography of Jerusalem Tracing Its Evolution into a Global City.” Jerusalem Story Project, 6 May 2024, www.jerusalemstory.com/en/blog/fascinating-biography-jerusalem-tracing-its-evolution-global-city.
- SHANA, MIKKI. “Jerusalem Explored through Temple Mount Exhibition.” the Jerusalem Post | JPost.com , The Jerusalem Post, 2019, www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/a-glimpse-into-the-navel-of-the-world-589883.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre. “Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 28 Feb. 2006, whc.unesco.org/en/list/414/.
- Hike, Y. (2024) Lhasa City: A Phenomenon of Tibetan Culture, Architecture, and Life, Yolo Hike Pvt. Ltd. Available at: https://yolohike.com/blog/lhasa-city?srsltid=AfmBOorhEBrRXQNveUDpIj-EMltcuT_RyWxVzRhTdCyDIgIQhsx_nrW_
