Reacting to protests by Jains over designating the Sammed Shikharji in Jharkhand as an eco-tourism destination, the Modi government halted all activities which will ensure preservation of one of the holiest sites in India. The protest by the Jain community has brought to the fore, one of the least debated topics — should India’s sacred spaces be used as tourist destinations?

Temples have always played a central role in Indian society. There is no doubt that our temples are nerve centres of our society and identity. They are the focal points of education, art and culture. For some they are a place of worship, for some they are a cultural centre, while for some they may be a place of religious gathering. But while India is a land of temples, not all temples can be designated as spaces for spiritual enlightenment. Ancient temples were built not as places for prayer, but as a vortex of energy where, if people were receptive and willing, they could transform themselves in a very deep way. Even today, many temples serve as powerful energy centers. It is under this backdrop that one must carefully consider protecting the sanctity of such sacred spaces.

Ancient temples were located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. The design and construction of these temples was fairly intricate, being built according to a complex calculation involving physical and metaphysical elements. The ancient experts used geometries, magnetism, and rituals to build a system of resonant space to harness and amplify energy. A temple is a miniature cosmos comprised of the five elements and a presiding deity. A temple is an outgrowth of the deity which has its own independent intelligence and from which energy is constantly radiating. Essentially, temples were designed to be spaces where the mind spontaneously moves within and meditation happens effortlessly. Every aspect of the temple, from the architecture to the rituals to the kinds of worship offered, has been consciously created to make this experience happen. These sacred spaces contain pure vibrations of magnetic and electric fields with positive energy. By understanding the science of Indian temples, we can experience the intelligence, power and miracles that these structures were made from and for.

However, when tourists outnumber pilgrims, it affects the sacredness of the environment around our sacred spaces. Today, attracted by widely advertised yatras, boorish, vociferous and flashy masses clicking selfies within the sanctum sanctorum and playing loud music all day long throng many such sacred spaces. Many walk talking on the phone without lowering their voices, oblivious to the significance and sacredness of the place. These yatra tourists have sent honest pilgrims in search of spiritual solace scurrying for cover. Instead of feeling at peace, one can feel the tensions of heavy tourist traffic and unpleasant experiences as tourists and pilgrims jostle for space at these sacred spaces.