The chapter How the Land Becomes Sacred explores the deep connection between geography, spirituality, and culture in India. It explains how places like rivers, mountains, forests, and shrines become sacred through stories, pilgrimages, and belief systems.
From ancient traditions to modern practices, this chapter helps us understand how sacred geography has played a vital role in shaping India’s spiritual, cultural, and ecological identity.
How the Land Becomes Sacred Worksheet
What you will learn:
- Sacredness: A feeling of deep spiritual or religious importance given to a place or object.
- Tīrthayātrā: Pilgrimage to a sacred site.
- Shrines and Relics: Physical places associated with divine beings or religious leaders.
- Sacred Geography: How rivers, forests, mountains, etc., become part of religious beliefs.
- Cultural Integration: How pilgrimages helped unite India culturally.
- Sacred Ecology: How nature is protected due to its sacredness.
Examples of Sacred Places:
- Hinduism: Char Dham, Jyotirlingas, Shakti Pithas
- Buddhism: Bodh Gaya, Sanchi Stupa
- Jainism: Shatrunjaya Hills, Mount Abu
- Sikhism: Golden Temple, Takht Sri Patna Sahib
- Tribal Beliefs: Sacred groves, forests, rivers like Niyamgiri, Shola forests
Looking for answers to the question given in the test book? Download our free Class 7 Social Science NCERT Solutions – complete with Q&A, MCQs, fill in the blanks, and more. Ideal for revision, homework, and exam prep!
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Class 7 Social Science Chapter 8 Question Answer
Q1. What is sacredness?
Ans: Sacredness means having deep spiritual or religious significance, often connected with places, objects, or journeys.
Q2. How does land become sacred?
Ans: Land becomes sacred when it is associated with divine stories, pilgrimages, natural beauty, or is believed to be the dwelling of gods or spiritual beings.
Q3. What is the importance of pilgrimage in India?
Ans: Pilgrimage is both a physical and spiritual journey. It unites people, spreads culture, encourages trade, and helps in the cultural integration of India.
Q4. What are sacred groves?
Ans: Sacred groves are forests or parts of nature that are protected by communities due to their religious importance.
Q5. How did sacred sites contribute to trade?
Ans: Pilgrims required food, shelter, and goods, which led to the development of trade routes around sacred places.
Q6. Give two examples of sacred rivers.
Ans: Ganga and Yamuna are considered sacred rivers in India.
Q7. Explain the story behind the 51 Shakti Peethas.
Ans: According to Hindu mythology, Sati, the wife of Shiva, immolated herself due to her father’s insult. Shiva, in his grief, carried her body across the land. To calm his rage and save the world, Vishnu cut her body into 51 pieces, which fell at different places. These places became the 51 Shakti Peethas and are considered sacred.
Q8. How did pilgrimages help in cultural integration of India?
Ans: Pilgrimages helped people travel across different regions of India, allowing them to interact with people of diverse languages, traditions, and customs. These interactions promoted unity, shared values, and a sense of belonging, contributing to India’s cultural integration.
Q9. What is the significance of rivers in Indian spirituality?
Ans: Rivers are considered sacred in Indian culture. They are seen as divine mothers who nourish life. Rituals, festivals, and pilgrimages often take place near rivers. Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarasvati are invoked in prayers and worshipped as goddesses.
Q10. Why are trees like the Peepul considered sacred?
Ans: The Peepul tree is associated with various religious traditions. It is believed that the Buddha attained enlightenment under a Peepul tree. In Hinduism, it represents life and fertility. It also provides ecological benefits like oxygen, shelter, and medicinal properties, making it revered and protected.
How the Land Becomes Sacred MCQs
Which of the following is not one of the Char Dham?
a) Badrinath
b) Puri
c) Dwarka
d) Delhi
Q1. What is a sacred grove?
a) A river
b) A mountain
c) A protected forest
d) A type of temple
Q2. The Kumbh Mela is associated with which of the following?
a) Four Vedas
b) Amrita drops
c) Sacred mountains
d) Jain temples
Q3. Which sacred river is invoked in the following verse: “Gange cha Yamune chaiva…”?
a) Sarasvati
b) Kaveri
c) Narmada
d) All of the above
Q4. Which place is associated with the enlightenment of the Buddha?
a) Sarnath
b) Bodh Gaya
c) Rajgir
d) Kushinagar
Answers:
d) Delhi
c) A protected forest
b) Amrit drops
d) All of the above
b) Bodh Gaya