The Rebirth of Bodh Gaya

Bodh Gaya, the site of Buddha's enlightenment, has undergone a dramatic transformation from a small agricultural town to a globally significant Buddhist pilgrimage destination, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. This shift, culminating in its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, has sparked complex spatial politics and conflicts among diverse constituencies. The study examines the modern revival of Buddhism in India, the interplay between colonial and postcolonial heritage dynamics, and the impacts of tourism and urban development on sacred space. By employing historical ethnography, it reveals how Bodh Gaya's evolution reflects broader tensions over meaning, identity, and power in contemporary India.

Geary, D. (2017). The Rebirth of Bodh Gaya. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780295742380