CONTENTS
Acknowledgments vii
Abstract x
A Note on Transliteration xi
Table of Contents 1
List of Figures 5
List of Tables 8
List of Maps 9
List of Acronym 10
1. Introduction 11
1.1 Background 11
1.2 Kullu Valley: The Valley of Gods 14
1.3 Cultural Landscape 21
1.4 Aim and Objectives 23
1.5 Methodology 23
1.6 Study Area 25
1.7 Information Sources 28
1.8 Scope and Limitations 30
1.9 Significance of Study 31
1.10 Chapter Organization 32
2. Literature Review 37
2.1 Cultural Landscape 39
2.1.1 Defining Cultural Landscape 39
2.1.2 Religion in the Context of Cultural Landscape 46
2.2 Sacred Geography 48
2.3 Models and Methods Used for Study of Cultural Landscapes 53
2.4 Conceptual Framework 57
3. Research Design and Fieldwork Methodology 61
3.1 Research Design 61
3.2 Kullu District- an Overview 62
3.3 Selection of the Study Area 70
3.4 Fieldwork 75
3.4.1 Mapping the Sacred Territory in the Kullu Valley 81
3.4.2 How Religious Activities Associated with Debtas Help Maintain the Cultural Landscape 85
3.4.3 Relation Between Religious Governance and Environmental Conservation ... 91
4. The Landscape of the Kullu Valley 93
4.1 A Landscape Originated in Mythology 93
4.1.1 The Cult of Nag 94
4.1.2 The Cult of Rishi 97
4.1.3 The Cult of Karadu 98
4.2 A Landscape Evolved with History 100
4.3 Religious Practices ‘Then and Now’ 104
4.4 The Region Since Indian Independence 107
5. Mapping of Sacred Geography of the Kullu Valley 115
5.1 Mapping locations of Karadu, Nag, and Rishi 118
5.2 Tracing the Debtakshetra: 129
5.3 Sacred Geography at the Village Level: 140
5.3.1 Settlement Patterns as a Response to Nature and Culture 141
5.3.2 Design of Dwelling: A Response to Nature and Culture 150
5.3.3 Mapping the Sacred Geography Elements in the Village Goshal 158
5.4 Sacred Territory through Routes and Movements 177
5.4.1 Yatra at a Regional Level: Rudranag-Yatra of Debta Ambal at Chachogi 178
5.4.2 Yatra within Debtakshetra of Goshal 189
5.4.3 Yatra at a Settlement Level: Faagli – the Annual Festival 190
6. A Religious Framework That Shapes Cultural Landscape 199
6.1 Religious Beliefs 199
6.2 Religious Practices and Rituals 201
6.2.1 Festivals/ Melas in the Valley of Gods! 201
6.2.2 Individual Practices 218
6.3 Religious Institutions 219
7. Religious institutions, Governance, and Conservation in a Cultural Landscape 227
7.1 Government and Environmental Management 229
7.2 Religious Institutions and Conservation 234
7.3 Community, Culture and Conservation 241
8. Sustaining the Cultural Landscape 243
8.1 The Contestations and the Sustenance of Cultural Landscape: 243
8.2 The Traditional Wisdom and Sustenance of Cultural Landscape 256
8.3 Way Ahead 257
9. Conclusion 261
9.1 Mapping of Sacred Geography as a Tool for Analysis of Cultural Landscape .... 262
9.2 Role of Religious Framework in Maintaining the Cultural Landscape of Kullu Valley 265
9.3 Debta as an Institution and Governing Force in Sustaining the Cultural Landscape 267
9.4 Future Directions 269
References 272