Placemaking Through Sensory Engagement: Assessing Cultural Essence of Assi Ghat, Varanasi for Virtual Environments
Assi Ghat, one of the most prominent places in India, and incorporating the steps leading down to the sacred river Ganges in Varanasi, is a microcosm of the city’s spiritual, cultural, and social life. This paper explores the sensory experiences at the cultural landscape site Assi Ghat, focusing on...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
The International Academic Forum
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://iafor.org/journal/iafor-journal-of-cultural-studies/volume-9-issue-2/article-3/ |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832592851882475520 |
|---|---|
| author | Tejaswini Rai Suruchi Modi Neena Zutshi |
| author_facet | Tejaswini Rai Suruchi Modi Neena Zutshi |
| author_sort | Tejaswini Rai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Assi Ghat, one of the most prominent places in India, and incorporating the steps leading down to the sacred river Ganges in Varanasi, is a microcosm of the city’s spiritual, cultural, and social life. This paper explores the sensory experiences at the cultural landscape site Assi Ghat, focusing on how these experiences shape the identity of the space and contribute to the overall experience of visitors and pilgrims. The built fabric of the ghat (from Sanskrit Ghatta, steps leading to a river), along the sacred river Ganges, is not merely a geographical location but a multisensory environment where the sights, sounds, smells, and textures all play a crucial role in creating a deep, immersive experience and spiritual connection with the sacred environment. Various activities at the ghat, such as the morning prayers (Aarti), yoga sessions, and cultural performances become integral to this sensory landscape, influencing how both locals and visitors perceive and interact with the space. The study discusses the importance of sensory experiences in public spaces, particularly in the context of placemaking at cultural landscapes, where these elements contribute to the creation of meaningful and engaging environments. Additionally, the paper explores the concept of digital placemaking, suggesting that the sensory richness of Assi Ghat could be preserved and replicated in a digital environment. The study emphasizes the need to integrate sensory experiences into both physical and digital placemaking efforts to maintain the cultural and spiritual essence of Assi Ghat, ensuring that its unique atmosphere is preserved for future generations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3f5e37d99d75443d816d49bb0d88b87f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2187-4905 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | The International Academic Forum |
| record_format | Article |
| series | IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-3f5e37d99d75443d816d49bb0d88b87f2025-01-21T02:37:32ZengThe International Academic ForumIAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies2187-49052024-12-01112618510.22492/ijcs.9.2.03Placemaking Through Sensory Engagement: Assessing Cultural Essence of Assi Ghat, Varanasi for Virtual EnvironmentsTejaswini Rai0Suruchi Modi1Neena Zutshi2Sushant University, IndiaSushant University, IndiaWorld University of Design, IndiaAssi Ghat, one of the most prominent places in India, and incorporating the steps leading down to the sacred river Ganges in Varanasi, is a microcosm of the city’s spiritual, cultural, and social life. This paper explores the sensory experiences at the cultural landscape site Assi Ghat, focusing on how these experiences shape the identity of the space and contribute to the overall experience of visitors and pilgrims. The built fabric of the ghat (from Sanskrit Ghatta, steps leading to a river), along the sacred river Ganges, is not merely a geographical location but a multisensory environment where the sights, sounds, smells, and textures all play a crucial role in creating a deep, immersive experience and spiritual connection with the sacred environment. Various activities at the ghat, such as the morning prayers (Aarti), yoga sessions, and cultural performances become integral to this sensory landscape, influencing how both locals and visitors perceive and interact with the space. The study discusses the importance of sensory experiences in public spaces, particularly in the context of placemaking at cultural landscapes, where these elements contribute to the creation of meaningful and engaging environments. Additionally, the paper explores the concept of digital placemaking, suggesting that the sensory richness of Assi Ghat could be preserved and replicated in a digital environment. The study emphasizes the need to integrate sensory experiences into both physical and digital placemaking efforts to maintain the cultural and spiritual essence of Assi Ghat, ensuring that its unique atmosphere is preserved for future generations.https://iafor.org/journal/iafor-journal-of-cultural-studies/volume-9-issue-2/article-3/assi ghatdigital placemakingplacemakingsacred geographiessensory experiencesvaranasivirtual engagement |
| spellingShingle | Tejaswini Rai Suruchi Modi Neena Zutshi Placemaking Through Sensory Engagement: Assessing Cultural Essence of Assi Ghat, Varanasi for Virtual Environments IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies assi ghat digital placemaking placemaking sacred geographies sensory experiences varanasi virtual engagement |
| title | Placemaking Through Sensory Engagement: Assessing Cultural Essence of Assi Ghat, Varanasi for Virtual Environments |
| title_full | Placemaking Through Sensory Engagement: Assessing Cultural Essence of Assi Ghat, Varanasi for Virtual Environments |
| title_fullStr | Placemaking Through Sensory Engagement: Assessing Cultural Essence of Assi Ghat, Varanasi for Virtual Environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Placemaking Through Sensory Engagement: Assessing Cultural Essence of Assi Ghat, Varanasi for Virtual Environments |
| title_short | Placemaking Through Sensory Engagement: Assessing Cultural Essence of Assi Ghat, Varanasi for Virtual Environments |
| title_sort | placemaking through sensory engagement assessing cultural essence of assi ghat varanasi for virtual environments |
| topic | assi ghat digital placemaking placemaking sacred geographies sensory experiences varanasi virtual engagement |
| url | https://iafor.org/journal/iafor-journal-of-cultural-studies/volume-9-issue-2/article-3/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tejaswinirai placemakingthroughsensoryengagementassessingculturalessenceofassighatvaranasiforvirtualenvironments AT suruchimodi placemakingthroughsensoryengagementassessingculturalessenceofassighatvaranasiforvirtualenvironments AT neenazutshi placemakingthroughsensoryengagementassessingculturalessenceofassighatvaranasiforvirtualenvironments |