Heritagization of Religious Festivals and (Re) Invention of Jainist Cultural Heritage in Contemporary India

This paper examines the heritagization of religious festivals and the (re)invention of Jainist heritage in contemporary India. The paper provides insight into how Jainist religious practices are being adapted to fit modern contexts while retaining their traditional essence through an analysis of the dynamics of cultural preservation, transformation, and commercialization. These case studies are complemented with extensive ethnographic fieldwork and interviews with community leaders and practitioners. The investigation shows the complexities and contradictions involved in the process of heritagization, with the phenomenon reflecting the interplay between local traditions, national identity, and global influence.

Keywords: Heritagization, Jainism, Religious Festivals, Cultural Preservation, Modern India, Tradition, Globalization.