Archaeological intimacy and heritage publics: domesticating Buddhism in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh

Research reveals that Sarnath, the site of Buddha’s first sermon in Uttar Pradesh, India, is not just a religious pilgrimage destination but also a space where diverse stakeholders shape and experience Buddhist heritage. The study introduces 'archaeological intimacy' to describe how remnants of Buddhist material culture influence identity formation and social relations beyond traditional religious narratives. Unlike previous scholarship that often focused on state-sanctioned or canonical narratives, this work highlights the significance of everyday interactions within the archaeological park, offering a more nuanced understanding of heritage dynamics at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gandhi, R., & Geary, D. (2026). Archaeological intimacy and heritage publics: domesticating Buddhism in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. Religion, 56(3), 444–468. https://doi.org/10.1080/0048721x.2026.2622782