Enhancing The Landscape Experiences In The Pilgrimage Routes: Case Of Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage

Abstract

A Pilgrimage is a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance, a journey to a shrine or a place of importance to a person’s beliefs and faith. Usually the places of pilgrimages help in connecting with the divine. They are serene, secluded environments which help in connecting with the divine. These places are generally rivers, mountains, sacred groves, forests, etc. It is not only the divine, but the place as well which help in the purification of soul and being at peace to one self. The outer environment plays an equally important role. This can be defined by Biophilia. ‘Biophilia’ is the term coined by Edward O. Wilson to describe what he believes is humanity's innate affinity for the natural world. People find trees that are climbable and have a broad, umbrella-like canopy more attractive than trees without these characteristics. They would rather look at water, green vegetation, or flowers than built structures of glass and concrete. The thesis is to enhance the landscape experiences in the pilgrimage route of Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage, which is falling into the trap of modernization and losing its traditional character of the Pilgrimage Route. The studies involve not only the studies of the visible landscape layers but also the layers which are beneath and are as important part of landscape as the visible ones. The thesis shall propose design interventions using factors like sitting, sound, light and borrowed landscapes. The elements like the Tangible and intangible heritage shall be revived. The intent is to restore and revive the cultural route of the Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage, which has changed manifold during the course of time. The proposals shall be to create like environments, using vernacular materials. The planting chosen is foliage, fruiting and flowering. Foliage shall give a feeling of enclosure, fruiting shall invite birds and help create sense of hearing and flowering shall enhance the sense of smell. This shall in terms help in elevating the senses and help in connecting with both the outer and inner world.