Conceptions de l’espace de la ville sainte d’Omkareshwar à l’ombre d’un grand barrage sur la Narmada = Land-use Planning of the Holy City of Omkareshwar in the Shadow of a large dam on the Narmada (Madhya Pradesh)

Crémin, É. (2016) Conceptions de l’espace de la ville sainte d’Omkareshwar à l’ombre d’un grand barrage sur la Narmada = Land-use Planning of the Holy City of Omkareshwar in the Shadow of a large dam on the Narmada (Madhya Pradesh). In: Joshi, H. and Viguier, A. (eds.) Ville et fleuve en Asie du Sud. Series: Sciences humaines et sociales. Inalco presses: Paris, pp. 149-167. ISBN 9782858312689 (doi: 10.4000/books.pressesinalco.455)

Abstract

The sacredness is deeply rooted into the geography of India as evidenced by Hindu cosmology, ritual practices and landscapes. The Narmada is one of the seven sacred rivers and the holy town of Omkareshwar was established on its banks in order to worship the linga symbol of Śiva, anchoring thus this space into the Hindu territory. In 2005, a large dam was built on this site. With the filling of the reservoir, upstream land and villages have been swallowed. Its colossal structure and the creation of an artificial lake have changed the valley’s landscape. This chapter aims to discuss how different social groups and institutions around the holy town, conceive the archaeological and environmental heritage, while peasants are being evicted and uprooted from their land by major development projects.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cremin, Dr Emilie
• Authors: Crémin, É.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability
• Publisher: Inalco presses
• ISBN: 9782858312689