The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in Sri LankaThe Sri Lankan ethnic conflict that has occurred largely between Sinhala Buddhists and Tamil Hindus is marked by a degree of religious tolerance that sees both communities worshiping together. This study describes one important site of such worship, the ancient Hindu temple complex of Munnesvaram. Standing adjacent to one of Sri Lanka's historical western ports, the fortunes of the Munnesvaram temples have waxed and waned through the years of turbulence, violence and social change that have been the country's lot since the advent of European colonialism in the Indian Ocean. Bastin recounts the story of these temples and analyses how the Hindu temple is reproduced as a center of worship amidst conflict and competition. |
From inside the book
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Page iv
... Hinduism--Relations--Buddhism. 3. Buddhism--Relations--Hinduism. 4. Sri Lanka--Religious Life and customs. I. Title BL1243.78.S72 D66 2002 294.5'35'095493--dc21 2002074582 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue ...
... Hinduism--Relations--Buddhism. 3. Buddhism--Relations--Hinduism. 4. Sri Lanka--Religious Life and customs. I. Title BL1243.78.S72 D66 2002 294.5'35'095493--dc21 2002074582 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue ...
Page vii
... Hindu Sacred in the Conditions of Violence 8 Plan of the Book 11 Chapter 2 Fluidity and Ambiguity in the History of Munnesvaram 15 The Temples and Their Deities 19 The Social Composition of Worship 26 Temple Ownership 34 Chapter 3 Myths ...
... Hindu Sacred in the Conditions of Violence 8 Plan of the Book 11 Chapter 2 Fluidity and Ambiguity in the History of Munnesvaram 15 The Temples and Their Deities 19 The Social Composition of Worship 26 Temple Ownership 34 Chapter 3 Myths ...
Page xi
... on his head dances in the background Trading in Plurality: Buddhist, Christian and Hindu Images at a Festival Shop 21 24 25 68 137 168 169 177 188 202 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5 Many people have helped me to write this – xi – List of Photographs.
... on his head dances in the background Trading in Plurality: Buddhist, Christian and Hindu Images at a Festival Shop 21 24 25 68 137 168 169 177 188 202 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5 Many people have helped me to write this – xi – List of Photographs.
Page 2
... Hindu priests, and each temple largely conforms to the aesthetic style and ritual practice of the south Indian Hindu and specifically Saivite temple.3 The worshippers, though, are drawn from all over Sri Lanka and are predominantly ...
... Hindu priests, and each temple largely conforms to the aesthetic style and ritual practice of the south Indian Hindu and specifically Saivite temple.3 The worshippers, though, are drawn from all over Sri Lanka and are predominantly ...
Page 5
... several sites in contemporary Sri Lanka renowned for its special power – sites that are identifiably Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Hindu and in a few cases Muslim.11 This book – 5– Worship, Difference and Marvellous Potentiality.
... several sites in contemporary Sri Lanka renowned for its special power – sites that are identifiably Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Hindu and in a few cases Muslim.11 This book – 5– Worship, Difference and Marvellous Potentiality.
Contents
| 1 | |
Chapter 2 Fluidity and Ambiguity in the History of Munnesvaram | 15 |
Chapter 3 Myths and Marginality | 43 |
Chapter 4 Ritual Practices and Religious Identity | 59 |
Chapter 5 The Saivite Temple as a Monumental Architecture | 89 |
Puja and Arccanai | 117 |
Chapter 7 The Presence of Sakti | 133 |
Chapter 8 Guardians Games and the Formation of Power | 145 |
Chapter 9 The World Inside Out | 163 |
Chapter 10 The Domain of Excess | 183 |
Divine Kings and Regal Gods Temples in Society and History | 195 |
References | 213 |
Index | 227 |
Other editions - View all
The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in ... Rohan Bastin No preview available - 2002 |
Common terms and phrases
according action active aesthetic Ambal annual associated attend bathing becomes Bhadrakali temple body Brahmins called caste central century Chapter Chilaw closely coconut complex condition deities demonic described developed devotees discussion divine especially ethnic example existence expression festival Figure flag front goddess ground guardian hall Hindu human important Indian inside involves Jaffna Kali Kataragama king lamp land marked meaning movement Munnesvaram temple myth nature Navaratri noted Obeyesekere offerings origin Pattini pattuva performed Pillaiyar popular possibility potency potentiality practice presence priests procession puja regard region relation religious remains reveals rite ritual Saivite temple sense shrine simply Sinh Sinhala Buddhist Sinhalese situation Siva social sorcery space specific Sri Lanka statue stress symbolic takes Tamil Saivite temple’s theme traditions tree village worship