SACRED GEOGRAPHY AND THE ROLE OF PILGRIMAGE INCIVILIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Sacred geography, encompassing holy sites,
mythological landscapes, and spiritual routes, has
significantly influenced the trajectory of civilizational growth.
Pilgrimage—one of the oldest forms of religious expression—
serves not only as a spiritual act but also as a socio-cultural
mechanism for interaction, integration, and transformation.
This paper examines how sacred spaces and pilgrimage
routes shape social structures, cultural exchange, economic
systems, and political ideologies across civilizations. Through
a comparative and interdisciplinary lens, the study highlights
historical cases from South Asia, the Middle East, and
Europe, illustrating the enduring impact of sacred geography
on urban planning, identity formation, and interfaith
dialogue. The article also addresses how modern pilgrimage
practices respond to globalization and digital connectivity,
evolving in form while retaining their civilizational essence.