Buddhist Sacred Space in Hindu Holy City Varanasi

Varanasi, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and a primary Hindu sacred landscape, also holds profound significance in Buddhist sacred geography. The study reveals that Sarnath, located 10 km north of Varanasi, serves as a foundational Buddhist site where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon, establishing the Buddhist Sangha. This spatial proximity creates a layered sacred network, where Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions intersect through archaeological remains, monastic establishments, stupas, and contemporary pilgrimage infrastructures. The landscape reflects Buddhism's historical evolution and its modern revival, embodying a dynamic palimpsest of religious practices. Pilgrimage, rituals, and tourism further reinforce this region's global significance as a living heritage site, shaped by state and international agencies. This research highlights how sacred landscapes are continuously produced through memory, ritual, and conservation, illustrating the coexistence of ancient spiritual traditions with contemporary socio-cultural transformations.

Bala, S. (2026). BUDDHIST SACRED SPACE IN HINDU HOLY CITY VARANASI. The Social Science Review A Multidisciplinary Journal, 4(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.70096/tssr.260402001