Bharat Mata

(“Mother India”) Modern Hindu “deity”
whose primary image is a map of the
subcontinent, often prominently
marked with the network of India’s
sacred sites (tirthas). The presupposition behind most of these particular
sacred sites is that the land itself is holy,
but the idea of Bharat Mata takes this
idea to a more abstract level, sanctifying
the whole subcontinent. Although this
map and its image of Mother India are
usually not actual objects of worship,
they carry important symbolic messages. In an abstract way, the holiness of
Mother India unites all Hindus regardless of their sectarian affiliation.
Moreover, it suggests that India is one
unified culture despite its striking
regional diversity. These ideas can be
found in specific areas, particularly in
the networks of tirthas knitting the
country together, yet in contemporary
times this image’s underlying purpose is
often political rather than religious.
At times it simply represents
national pride, but at other times it has
a more sinister hidden agenda. This
identification of Indian culture with the
motherland can be used as a way to
marginalize religious minorities—primarily Muslims and Christians, whose
holy places lie in other countries—as
“foreigners,” and people whose patriotism and connection to the Indian
nation are potentially suspect.