The study of rituals as the very first traces of human evolution is highly significant in the field of architecture and human built space. Rituals may be prescribed by the traditions of a community, including a religious community. Rituals are characterized, but not defined, by formalism, traditionalism, invariance, rule-governance, sacral symbolism, and performance. A religious ritual is a prescribed, reutilized, and ceremonial action or set of actions, the function of which is symbolic and has specific significance to the performer and the performer’s community. Religious rituals are described as essential in deepening one’s spiritual and making connections with a higher power. People all around the world take part in performing rituals everyday, sometimes without realizing it. The layout, spacing and design of sacred areas invite rituals and reflect an approach to the divine.
Social rituals and events are habitual activities that structure the lives of communities and groups that are shared by and relevant to many of their members. They vary from small gatherings to large scale social celebrations and commemorations. The religious gatherings were held at the Markaz building in nizamuddin between March 13–15 violating lockdown conditions due to which the death toll due to COVID-19 in India climbed to 1397 on Tuesday.
By this gross act of negligence many lives have been endangered. It was the responsibility of every citizen to proactively avoid such gathering of people during the lockdown and this is nothing but a criminal act.
Faith provides solace in uncertain times, but mass religious experience is also providing dangerous multipliers of the corona virus.
