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Class 7 Social Science Chapter 8 Question Answer How the Land Becomes Sacred
NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 8 How the Land Becomes Sacred Questions and Answers Solutions
How the Land Becomes Sacred Class 7 Question Answer (In-Text)
The Big Questions? (Page 167)
Question 1.
What is ‘sacredness’?
Answer:
Sacredness refers to the quality of being holy, divine, or spiritually significant. It can apply to places (like temples or rivers), objects (like relics), or journeys (like pilgrimages). In the Indian context, sacredness is deeply tied to religion, nature, and cultural traditions, often evoking reverence and respect.
Question 2.
How does the land become sacred?
Answer:
Land becomes sacred through:
- Religious associations: Such as places linked to gods, saints, or events like Buddha’s enlightenment.
- Natural reverence: Including rivers like the Ganga, mountains like Kailash, or trees like the peepal.
- Pilgrimage networks: Such as Char Dham and the Jyotirlingas, which spiritually connect diverse regions.
- Mythology: For example, Shakti Peethas, where parts of the goddess Sati’s body are believed to have fallen.
Question 3.
How do sacred sites and pilgrimage networks connect with the life and culture of the people?
Answer:
- Cultural Unity: Pilgrimages bring people from different regions together, fostering shared traditions and values.
- Economic Activity: Sacred sites boost local economies through trade, hospitality, and artisan markets.
- Social Interaction: Pilgrims exchange languages, customs, and stories, enriching cultural diversity.
- Spiritual Growth: Journeys to sacred sites are seen as transformative, promoting introspection and community bonding.
Question 4.
What role did sacred geography play in the cultural integration of the Indian Subcontinent?
Answwer:
- Physical Integration: Pilgrimage routes (e.g., Uttarapatha, Dakshinapatha) connected distant regions, enabling travel and trade.
- Cultural Exchange: Shared sacred sites (e.g., Kumbh Mela) created pan- Indian traditions despite linguistic or regional differences.
- Mythological Unity: Stories (e.g., Shakti Peethas, Ramayana trails) linked local sites to a broader spiritual narrative.
- Ecological Harmony: Reverence for natural sites, such as rivers, forests and mountains, promotes conservation practices among communities.
Let’s Explore
Question 1.
Do any of the pictures look familiar to you? Can you name similar places found in your neighbourhood? (Page 168)
Answer:
(Suggestive Answer) Yes, some of these pictures look familiar to me. In my neighbourhood, we have a temple near a small river where they perform aarti in the evenings, similar to the Ganga Aarti. There’s also a hilltop temple that reminds me of the top of the monastery. I often see people worshipping the peepal tree near our local market. We have a few old temples that are considered heritage sites, like the monuments in Uttarakhand. There’s also a temple with a big tank nearby, just like the Chitrakulam temple. Lastly, there are sacred stones placed around certain temples in my area, just like in the picture.
Question 2.
Read the excerpt. What are your observations? Locate the route the group must have taken from Rameswaram to Haridwar. Why do you think the group was going straight to Haridwar instead of stopping at Delhi? (Page 171)
Answer:
- Observations: The pilgrims carried their own supplies and followed a strict schedule for their spiritual journey.
- Expected Route: Rameswaram → Madurai → Chennai → Hyderabad → Nagpur → Bhopal → Delhi → Haridwar (major railway route).
- Reason: Haridwar was their primary pilgrimage destination during an auspicious time. Delhi was just a transit point and not part of their spiritual itinerary.
Question 3.
In ancient times, when people were travelling from Madurai in Tamil Nadu to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, what languages would they come across? How would they communicate with people in those places? Where would they stay? What food would they eat? (Page 171)
Answer:
- When people in ancient times travelled from Madurai in Tamil Nadu to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, they might have come across languages like Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi and Hindi/Bhojpuri.
- They communicated using gestures, common Sanskrit religious terms, or multilingual traders.
- They stayed in temple guest houses (dharmashalas), caravanserais, or experienced village hospitality.
- Their food was simple vegetarian meals like rice, dal and roti.
Question 4.
Note the locations of the char dham. What do you think it implied for the people when they travelled north-south and east-west? (Page 173)
Answer:
The locations of the char dhams (Badrinath-North, Rameswaram-South, Puri-East, Dwarka-West) implies that:
- Pilgrims had to travel across the entire subcontinent.
- It creates a spiritual map covering all cardinal directions.
- Travellers experience India’s geographic and cultural diversity.
- It fosters national integration through shared sacred geography.
Question 5.
Can you identify the names of a few traditional tirthas given in the map above? You can refer to the political map at the end of the book for help. (Page 174)
Answer:
Based on Fig. 8.6 map, some of the traditional tirthas are:
- North: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
- Bast: Puri (Odisha), Gaya (Bihar)
- South: Rameswaram, Madurai (Tamil Nadu)
- West: Dwarka (Gujarat), Shirdi (Maharashtra)
- Buddhist sites: Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh)
- Jain sites: Girnar (Gujarat)
Question 6.
Take a sheet of transparent paper that can be used for tracing. Trace a map of the trade routes from the chapter ‘The Rise of Empires’. Place it on top of the map of the important tirthas. What do you observe? (Page 181)
Answer:
When we trace the trade routes and place them over the map, we notice some key observations:
- Major trade routes (Uttarapatha, Dakshinapatha) overlap with pilgrimage routes.
- Important tirthas are located along ancient trade corridors.
- Trading towns often developed around pilgrimage centres.
- This shows how spiritual and commercial journeys were interconnected.
Don’t miss out
Question 1.
Prayagraj hosts the Kumbh Mela every six years. Prayag is located at the confluence of three rivers- Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Sarasvati. A few years ago, UNESCO listed the Kumbh Mela as an ‘intangible heritage of the world’. An estimated 660 million people participated in the Kumbh Mela of 2025. What proportion of the population of India is this? (Page 176)
Answer:
To find the proportion of the Indian population that participated in the 2025 Kumbh Mela, we divide the number of participants by the total population of India.
- India’s current population = 1.4 billion
- 660 million participants = 660/1400 × 100 = 47% of population participated in the 2025 Kumbh Mela.
Think about it
Question 1.
How do you think these sacred places are connected with the people’s economic lives and activities? Draw a mind map to trace these connections. (Hint: The pictures above can provide some clues.) (Page 177)
Answer:
Sacred places support local economies in many ways. They create demand for pilgrim services like lodging (dharamshalas, hotels), food (bhojanalayas, restaurants), and transport (pony and boat rides). Ritual offerings generate income for priests, flower sellers, and vendors of gangajal and prasad. Artisan communities benefit by selling crafts in local markets. These sites also bring indirect benefits such as infrastructure development, job creation, cultural tourism, and market growth. Thus, sacred places are both spiritual and economic hubs.
Question 2.
Look carefully at these pictures of places and animals that are considered sacred. The Yamuna in the north, the Mahanadi in the east or the Kaveri in the south are all sacred rivers. How come they have become so polluted? Are there sacred places in your locality or region that have been similarly polluted or degraded by human activity? Whose responsibility is it to preserve the sanctity of our sacred places? Discuss in class. (Page 182)
Answer:
Sacred rivers like the Yamuna, Mahanadi, and Kaveri have become polluted due to industrial waste, untreated sewage, and the improper disposal of offerings by pilgrims. In my locality, similar degradation occurs in sacred ponds and temples, where waste is often discarded.
Preserving the sanctity of these places is the shared responsibility of the government, local communities, and visitors. Authorities must enforce environmental regulations, while communities and pilgrims should follow proper waste management practices. Only through collective effort can we restore and protect these sacred sites.
Intext Question
Question 1.
Given below are the names of a few sacred groves in a few regional languages of India. Can you add to this? (Page 180)
Answer:
| Malayalam | kavu |
| Tamil | kovilkadu |
| Kannada | devare kadu |
| Marathi | devarai |
| Khasi (Meghalaya) | khlaui kyntang |
| Hindi (Himachal Pradesh) | dev van |
| Jharkhand | sarna |
| Chhattisgarh | devgudi |
| Rajasthan | oran |
| Assamese | Than or Pitha |
| Gujarati | Devsthali |
| Punjabi | Gurdwara van (for Sikh sacred forests |
Note: Children to do it themselves, by writing their local sacred groves.
Class 7 SST Chapter 8 How the Land Becomes Sacred Question Answer (Exercise)
Questions and Activities (Page 183-184)
Question 1.
Read the following statement by a well-known environmental thinker, Daxfid Suzuki:
“The way we see the world shapes the way we treat it. If a mountain is a deity, not a pile of ore; if a rixfer is one of the veins of the land, not potential irrigation water; if a forest is a sacred grove, not timber; if other species are biological kin, not resources; or if the planet is our mother, not an opportunity then we will treat each other with greater respect. Thus is the challenge, to look at the world from a different perspective.”
Discuss in small groups. What do you think this statement means? What implication does it have for our actions with respect to the air, water, land, trees and mountains around us?”
Answer:
David Suzuki’s statement emphasises that how we perceive the world affects how we treat it. If we view nature, such as mountains, rivers, and forests, as sacred or connected to us rather than as resources to be exploited, we are more likely to protect and respect them. This perspective encourages us to see the planet as something to cherish and care for rather than something to exploit. The implication for our actions is that we should focus on preserving the environment, including air, water, land, trees, and mountains, by adopting sustainable practices, reducing pollution, and respecting the natural world.
Question 2.
List the sacred sites in your region. Enquire into why they are considered sacred. Are there stories connected with these sacred places? Write a short essay of 150 words. (Hint: You could speak to elders in your family and community, discuss with your teacher, read books and articles, etc., to gather relevant information.)
Answer:
(Suggestive Ans.) In my region, two sacred sites hold great importance: the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain and the Ramghat on the banks of the Shipra River. The Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that the lingam here is sway- ambhu (self-manifested) and grants liberation (moksha). According to legend, a young boy named Shrikhar worshipped Shiva here and was blessed when the demon king Dushana threatened Ujjain.
The temple’s Bhasma Aarti, where sacred ash is offered to the deity, is a unique and ancient ritual. Ramghat is considered sacred because it is where the Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years. It is said that Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana bathed here during their exile. The ghat is also linked with the Samudra Manthan legend, where drops of amrita (nectar of immortality) fell. These sites are not only places of worship but also centres of culture, history, and community gatherings, preserving our spiritual heritage. Note: Students should rewrite about the sacred site of their region.
Question 3.
Why do you think natural elements like rivers, mountains and forests are considered sacred for the people? How do they contribute to our lives?
Answer:
Natural elements like rivers, mountains and forests are considered sacred by many people due to deep- rooted religious beliefs, their life-giving importance, and cultural significance. Rivers like the Ganga are worshipped as goddesses, as mentioned in the Rigveda. Mountains such as Kailash are believed to be the home of Lord Shiva, and forests are often seen as sacred spaces associated with gods, like the sacred groves. These elements also play a vital role in sustaining life.
Rivers provide essential water for drinking, farming, and daily needs. Mountains help in forming rivers and protect the environment, for example, the Himalayas. Forests give us clean air, medicinal plants, and shelter. Culturally, many stories connect these elements with gods and goddesses, such as the story of Shakti Peethas. Pilgrimage sites are often located in natural settings, like Kedarnath in the mountains. Festivals such as the Kumbh Mela, considered in the banks of the rivers, further show the deep connection between nature and cultural traditions.
Question 4.
Why do people visit a tirtha or other sacred sites?
Answer:
People visit tirthas or sacred sites for various spiritual, religious, personal, and communal reasons. Spiritually, they seek to feel closer to God or a divine power, such as at Jyotirlinga shrines, to wash away their sins by bathing in sacred rivers like the Ganga at Prayagraj, or to fulfil religious promises or mannats. These visits are also important for performing religious practices such as offering rituals for ancestors, like shraddha at Gaya, celebrating festivals such as the Kumbh Mela, or viewing sacred objects like relics in the Sanchi Stupa.
On a personal level, many undertake spiritual journeys like the Pandharpur Wari, seek wisdom from saints or gurus at places like the Sikh Takhts, or find peace in the natural surroundings of sacred mountains like Amarnath. Additionally, visiting these places helps people connect with a wider community of devotees. Pilgrims meet others from different regions, share traditions and stories, and feel a sense of unity in their faith, as experienced at sites like the Golden Temple.
Question 5.
How did the ancient pilgrimage routes help in fostering trade during those times? Do you think the sacred sites help in developing the economy of the region?
Answer:
Ancient pilgrimage routes helped promote trade, as pilgrims needed food, clothing, and shelter during their journeys, such as those travelling to Haridwar. Traders set up shops near temples and along routes, selling goods like spices, cloth, and jewellery. Pilgrimage towns also became centres for money exchange, and major routes like the Uttarapatha were used by both pilgrims and merchants.
Even today, sacred sites support the local economy. In places like Varanasi, people earn by selling flowers, prasad, and pooja items, while guides and priests find work. Transport services see more passengers, and large events like the Kumbh Mela create temporary markets that boost local business.
Question 6.
How do sacred places influence the culture and traditions of the people living near them?
Answer:
Sacred places strongly influence the culture and traditions of the people living nearby in several important ways. They are central to local festivals and celebrations, such as the Kumbh Mela held at rivers or the annual Pandharpur Wari, Amarnath Yatra or pilgrimage to Sabarimala temple in Kerala which bring communities together and mark significant times of the year. Daily life is shaped by religious customs, local food habits often revolve around temple offerings like prasad, and traditional clothing reflects religious practices.
These places also encourage local art and skills, with artisans creating special crafts such as idols and lamps, and traditional music and dance performances forming part of religious events. Sacred places help strengthen community bonds, as people work together to care for them and pass down stories and legends through generations. Moreover, they promote respect for nature, sacred groves teach the importance of protecting trees and animals, while rivers and mountains are cared for as divine gifts. In this way, sacred sites preserve cultural traditions and encourage both unity and environmental awareness.
Question 7.
From the various sacred sites of India, select two of your choice and create ‘ a project explaining their significance.
Answer:
(Suggestive Ans.) Project: Sacred Sites of India – Vaishno Devi and Tirumala Vaishno Devi, located in the Trikuta Mountains near Katra in Jammu and Kashmir, is a major pilgrimage site dedicated to Goddess Vaishno Devi, a manifestation of the divine feminine. Devotees undertake a 13-kilometre trek to reach the sacred cave, which houses three natural rock formations (pindis) representing the goddess. The temple is especially crowded during Navratri, when special prayers and celebrations take place. The shrine also supports the local economy and provides facilities for pilgrims throughout the year.
Tirumala, situated in the Seshachalam Hills of Andhra Pradesh, is home to the famous temple of Lord Venkateswara. Rich in ecological diversity, the area is protected and maintained through various conservation efforts by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The temple has a long historical legacy, supported by South Indian dynasties. Pilgrims visit for darshan, offer hair as a ritual, and receive the well-known Tirupati Laddu. The temple also promotes sustainable practices, bans plastic, and ensures cleanliness, making it both a spiritual and environmentally significant site.
Note: Students could rewrite any other sacred site known to them.
Question 8.
What is the two-fold significance of a tirthayatra or a pilgrimage?
Answer:
A tirthayatra (pilgrimage) has two key significances: spiritual and social. Spiritually, pilgrimages help devotees feel closer to the divine, as seen at Jyotirlinga temples or by bathing in holy rivers like the Ganga to wash away sins. They also fulfil religious vows, as in Sikh pilgrimages, and provide peace of mind, especially through meditation at Buddhist sites.
Socially, pilgrimages unite people from different regions, as seen in events like the Kumbh Mela, and help preserve traditions through shared rituals and stories. Pilgrimages also support local economies, providing livelihoods for shopkeepers, priests, and guides, while connecting different parts of India culturally, as with the Char Dham Yatra. Thus, a pilgrimage is both a spiritual journey and a way to strengthen community bonds and local economies.