Digital Space and Hindu Religiosity in India: Negotiation & Contestation in Everyday Life

这项研究以印度比哈尔邦的加亚朝圣地为中心，探索数字、宗教和政治的交叉及其对当代印度的影响。通过对印度教徒在Gaya的线上和线下实践的研究，它试图检查印度宗教、技术和种族民族主义之间的联系，并对印度教宗教信仰的新兴形式达成更清晰的理解。尤其是，它提出的问题是，新出现的印度教宗教信仰形式是否会增加个人的权威，从而使受试者变得更加自主。它探讨了数字空间是否可以促进不同的声音(达利特人，LGBTQIA+)，以及数字宗教如何解决种姓污染问题以及纯洁和污染规则。它还询问了数字平台在哪些方面促进了印度教意识形态的发展，从而为印度政治和宗教之间的麻烦关系带来了新的经验数据，而此时人们试图通过将世界各地的印度教徒联系起来，并将印度教视为世界宗教来创造印度教意识。有必要探讨印度教民族主义或“印度教”的政治意识形态是否通过宗教习俗传播，以及它如何塑造印度教的信仰和习俗。总而言之，这项研究将通过新的线上和旧的线下实践形式来探索宗教信仰的政治含义，以及印度教政治话语的宗教轮廓。Gaya的线上和线下朝圣实践可能是一个镜头，可以从经验上理解印度教宗教信仰的新兴形式。加亚是印度比哈尔邦的一座历史名城，位于法尔古河畔。据信，拉姆勋爵和他的妻子西塔来到这里是为了向他的祖先致敬。这是一年一度的朝圣活动，吸引了数以千计的朝圣者为他们祖先的灵魂祈祷。它是由当地宗教组织在当地政府的支持下组织的。对线上和线下宗教习俗的交叉研究对于全面分析印度教信仰和习俗的谈判和争论至关重要。尽管信仰和实践的多样性可能会带来宗教杂交化，但在不同宗教之间选择不同的信仰和实践，形成个性化的宗教信仰。然而，有必要探讨印度教民族主义或“印度教”的政治意识形态是否通过宗教实践传播，以及它如何塑造印度教的信仰和实践。这回避了一些关键问题。例如：数字空间是否反映了现有的社会等级，特别是在种姓做法方面？这个空间为弱势群体提供了声音吗？“印度教”和“印度教”之间的关系是什么？

This research, centred on the pilgrimage site of Gaya in Bihar, India explores the intersections of the digital, the religious, and the political, and its implication in contemporary India. Through a study of the online and offline practices of Hindus at Gaya, it seeks to examine the link between religion, technology, and ethno-nationalism in India, and to achieve a clearer understanding of emergent forms of Hindu religiosity. In particular, it asks whether new, emergent forms of Hindu religiosity in the 'onlife' sphere, increases individual authority, allowing subjects to become more autonomous. It explores whether digital space can promote diverse voices (Dalits, LGBTQIA+) and how digital religion is addressing the issue of caste contamination and rules of purity and pollution. It also interrogates in what ways digital platforms are facilitating the growth of Hindutva ideology, thus bringing new empirical data to bear on the troubled relationship between politics and religion in India, at a time when there is an attempt to create Hindu consciousness by connecting Hindus worldwide and posing Hinduism as a world religion. There is a need of exploring if the political ideology of Hindu nationalism or 'Hindutva' is transmitted through religious practices and how it shapes Hindu beliefs and practices. In summary, the study will explore both the political implications of religiosity, and the religious contours of Hindu political discourse through new online and older 'offline' forms of practice.The online and offline pilgrimage practices at Gaya could be a lens for an empirical understanding of the emergent form of Hindu religiosity. Gaya is a historic city in Bihar, India, on the banks of the Falgu River. It is believed that Lord Ram had visited here with his wife, Sita, to pay homage to his ancestors. It is an annual pilgrimage attracts thousands of pilgrims to pray for souls of their ancestors. It organized by the local religious organization with the support of local administration. The intersectional study of online and offline religious practices is crucial for a comprehensive analysis of negotiation and contestation of Hindu beliefs and practices. Although a diversity of beliefs and practices might bring 'religious hybridization', choosing multiple faiths and practices across religions and forming personalized religiosity. However, there is a need of exploring if the political ideology of Hindu nationalism or 'Hindutva' is transmitted through religious practices and how it shapes Hindu beliefs and practices. This begs key questions. For example: Does digital space reflect existing social hierarchy, particularly in terms of caste practices? Does this space provide voices to disadvantaged groups? What is the relationship between 'Hindutva' and 'Hinduism'?