BUDDHIST SACRED SPACE IN HINDU HOLY CITY VARANASI

Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is widely recognised as a main Hindu sacred landscape; however, it also occupies a significant place in Buddhist sacred geography. Located 10 km north from the city, Sarnath represents a foundational sacred space where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta or Dharmacakra Pravartana Sūtra, marking the beginning of the Buddhist Sangha. This spatial proximity between Varanasi and Sarnath creates a complex sacred network in which religious meanings are layered over time and through practice. A combination of archaeological remains, monastic establishments, stupas, and contemporary pilgrimage infrastructures characterises the Buddhist sacred space in the Varanasi region. These elements reflect both the historical evolution of Buddhism and its revival in the modern period. The landscape embodies a palimpsest of religious traditions, where Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain spatial practices intersect, contributing to a pluralistic sacred geography. Pilgrimage, ritual performances, and international tourism further reinforce the global significance of this sacred zone. From a cultural-geographical perspective, the Buddhist sacred space around Varanasi illustrates how religious landscapes are continuously produced and reproduced through memory, ritual, and heritage conservation. It also highlights the role of state and international agencies in shaping sacred sites as heritage destinations. Thus, the Varanasi–Sarnath region stands as a dynamic example of living heritage, where ancient spiritual traditions coexist with contemporary socio-cultural transformations.