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The Concept of Sacred Space
Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India
Some places always hold more importance than the others. Some areas are more sacred or holy than the others. From time immemorial, the natural features of the landscape such as water, trees, forest or mountains are considered sacred mainly due to the dependence of the human beings on these elements for their survival. But along with these 'rational' reasons, a number of 'non-rational' factors also played part in determining what is holy. Thus, the elements triggering awe, mystery, fascination and overpowering feeling are also instrumental in the idea of the holy. (Otto 1923).
From the earliest times humans have been fascinated by the majestic and aweinspiring landscape. The flowing water, forest, mountains and some of the distinct features such as high hilltops with peculiarly shaped peaks or hills with unique shape, natural caves, distinct vegetation has always fascinated humans. These features of the landscape, with which humans interacted regularly, were made permanent by building monument and thus became 'sacred sites'. A story or myth grew around them, designating names to various features of the site. Thus "these places were invested with meaning and sheerly physical and geographical place was transformed into something. which is historically and socially experienced" (Tilley 1994: 18). In many a present day "primitive' societies, such places hold prime position as sacred spaces. These spaces have various 'uses'. While some are holy places of worship, some act as reference point to travellers (Thedoratus and LaPena 1994).
These sacred spaces are divided into two types. (1) Space with natural-magical elements rooted in it and (2) places with historical-religious holiness, linked through a historical personality. Both the types may get superimposed and fused with each other at times. The first type may have two types of effects, being a 'dangerous power', which should be avoided and being a 'sanctifying power', which, on the contrary, should be visited regularly. Both these types of sacred places however, normally display indestructible permanence in space and time and the sanctity attached to them rarely disappears (Fickeler 1962: 95). Thus, the place, which is considered sacred today, may have been considered so in one way or the other from time immemorial.
The Concept of Tirtha
Like any other society, a number of places were considered holy or sacred in ancient India and were woven into myths, legends and local history. Eventually, some of these places emerged as tirthas, both in Jainism and Brahmanism.
The Brahmanical concept of tirtha:
The sanctity of some places over the others is recognised right from the Vedic period. Later, Gautama (ca. 200 BCE) informs that, "all mountains, all rivers, holy lakes, tirthas, the abodes of seers, cow-pens and temples of gods are sin destroying localities" (Bharati 1963: 137). The Mahabharata says, "just as certain limbs of the body are purer than the others, so are certain places on the earth more sacred- some on account of their situation,
