THE SACRED COMPLEX CHANDRIKA DEVI TEMPLE IN BAKSHI KA TALAB, LUCKNOW, UTTAR PRADESH.

Abstract

The word ‘sacred’ is generally used as a “synonym for religion or religious, to denote transcendental reality and in reference to things set apart with special meaning” (Evans, 2003). An explanation of L.P. Vidyarthi's description of a ‘sacred complex’ is necessary for a scientific understanding of sacred centre. According to L.P. Vidyarthi (1961) “sacred complex is intricate and interdependent grouping of sacred centres, sacred performances and sacred specialists and is in cultural-structural relationship with the whole Hindu civilization”. The idea of the sacred complex proposed by Vidyarthi (1961) has been crucial in bringing to light a number of aspects of Hindu spirituality, such as the means of subsistence for dependent communities in India through trade and tourism. Vidyarthi (1961) began a systematic study of these sites by using ethnographic description for an encompassing knowledge of Indian civilisation, based on the conceptual framework of Robert Redfield and Mckim Marriott. In order to comprehend the complex web of social relationships at Hindu pilgrimage sites, western methodological views were applied to launch the scientific studies of sacred complexes in India in the post-Independence era.

Since it serves as a gathering place for people from many ethnic origins and traditions, the sacred complex represents unity in diversity. Additionally, these hubs create jobs, enhance transportation, and occasionally innovate to adapt to shifting conditions. Vidyarthi reinterpreted western scholars' concepts such as little and great tradition, cultural specialists, performances, and media in an Indian context by using his approach and empirical data. Later on, a large number of academic studies were conducted to examine the theoretical ideas of the sacred complex by both Indian and Western experts.