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Author ORCID Identifier

0000-0001-8231-5388

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the contestation between pilgrimage and tourism by conducting a spatial analysis on the shrine of Shahjalal, a prominent pilgrimage site in Bangladesh. It analyses particular components of this site through the lens of Kim Knott’s (2009) concept of a spatial approach based on four essential characteristics that connect a location to the larger whole of space. This paper followed a qualitative research method and more specifically content analysis. Being a prominent pilgrimage site in Bangladesh, the Shrine of Shahjalal, turns into a centre of contestation due to the presence of tourists and other existing stakeholders. The paper found the existence of gender segregation, religious pluralism and conflicting oriental religions at this site. Moreover, their presence in a shared infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, stores, transportation, etc.) connects this location to a more extensive space network. To conclude, this study follows the notion that a particular place is formed from the larger dimensions of space and how it reproduces the space by connecting its properties and dynamism. Prioritising the cultural aspect, further research should investigate how a sacred space might construct an intercultural dimension and play a role in forming the identity of a religious space.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

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