Identifying and Rediscovering Narratives for Less-Explored Sacred Places: Cultural Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh

*Corresponding Author: Dr Md. Asghar
Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar– 795003
Email:  asghar2108@gmail.com

KEYWORDS Less-Explored Sacred Places; Rediscovering Narratives; Cultural Tourism; Arunachal Pradesh

ABSTRACT
Introduction: The exchange of culture and its multifaceted value propositions have been driving forces that have shaped human society, with the massification of knowledge and the building of emotional bonds among people. The conquest of human civilisation lies in its journey, experiential learning, and visionary orientation with greater interconnectedness in the commonality of thoughts and beliefs. Religious texts embrace followers with moral and ethical teachings to shape their lives in ways that promote happiness, peace, and tranquillity. Since the dawn of civilisation, people have worshipped nature and various natural superpowers to motivate their journey towards excellence, and these places have remained sacred. The present study documents the lesser-known sacred places of Arunachal Pradesh to promote cultural tourism in the state.
Methodology: The present study has been conducted across selected districts of Arunachal Pradesh using a multistage random sampling method to collect field data from three distinct zones of the state. The respondent villagers and key informants were identified from the study region in consultation with village heads and eminent local personalities. Data were analysed through a contextual approach.
Results: The study in Arunachal Pradesh revealed that a free and secular environment prevails, as all major religious identities coexist. The study indicates that there are numerous less-explored sacred places and religious belief systems that represent the essence of mini-India within the state. This would attract global cultural tourists to the destinations, thereby positioning the state at the forefront of global cultural destinations. Promoting cultural tourism in Arunachal Pradesh would not be limited to economic benefits alone; rather, the state would be revered in the intellectual space and cultural landscape of the world.

Arindam Chakrabarty1, Anil Kumar Singh1, Md Asghar2*, Sarit Kumar Chaudhuri3*

Department of Management, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh - 78103
Department of Anthropology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh - 781035

DOI-DS:
DOI Link ::

Frontier Anthropology, 2026, 15: 9-16
©Anthropological Society of Manipur

Original Article

Manuscript Timeline
Submitted: August 30, 2025
Accepted: December 29, 2025
Published: January 29, 2026

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