DOI: https://doi.org/10.63345/ijrsml.v13.i5.2
Piya Jain
Independent Researcher
Ghaziabad, India
Abstract
Temple towns in Tamil Nadu serve not only as centers of religious devotion but also as historical and cultural epicenters that shape the socio-spatial fabric of the region. These towns are deeply interwoven with Dravidian architectural heritage, ritualistic practices, festivals, and economic networks. This manuscript explores the cultural geography of Tamil Nadu’s temple towns by examining how religious institutions have historically influenced urban development, spatial organization, and socio-cultural identity. It draws upon historical texts, ethnographic insights, spatial mapping, and regional case studies to analyze the interplay between sacred spaces and temporal realities. The paper aims to bridge the gap between religious geography and cultural landscape studies by showing how temples function as anchoring institutions that define not only the physical terrain but also the spiritual and cultural lifeworld of communities. Furthermore, this study explores the evolving dynamics of these temple towns in the face of urbanization and modernization.
Keywords
Temple Towns; Cultural Geography; Tamil Nadu; Sacred Spaces; Urban Morphology; Dravidian Architecture; Pilgrimage; Religious Landscapes; Heritage Cities; Socio-Spatial Identity
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