Fields of Study
- Anthropology of Religion
- Philosophy of Religion
- Religion, Culture & Politics
- South Asian Religions
Areas of Interest
- Narrative Building and Oral Traditions
- Anthropology and Ethnography of Nepal
- Religion, Rituals, and History of South Asia
- Youth Culture and Participation
Biography
Gaurav Shrestha is a PhD student in the Department for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto. He holds a BA in History from the University of Delhi and an MA in Historical Studies from Nalanda University.
His research centers on the youth Jatra culture in the Kathmandu Valley and its broader connections to South Asia, investigating how these festivals are integrated and transformed within Nepal's social and political fabric. Through ethnographic and historical analysis, Gaurav aims to demonstrate how youth leverage these festivals to reinterpret historical narratives and address contemporary societal challenges, thereby playing a pivotal role in preserving and adapting culture, memory, and history. He is dedicated to teaching and fostering engagement in an interactive environment, focusing on the anthropology of religion and the history and languages of South Asia.