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. |
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Page xxiv
... Batticaloa CHAPTER 1 WORSHIP , DIFFERENCE AND MARVELLOUS POTENTIALITY 5 When. Mannar Jaffna Puttalam Anuradhapura CHILAW Dedura Oya Kurunegala Kandy Negombo Colombo Adam's Peak Kataragama Galle Matara Figure 1.1 Map of Sri Lanka – xxiv –
... Batticaloa CHAPTER 1 WORSHIP , DIFFERENCE AND MARVELLOUS POTENTIALITY 5 When. Mannar Jaffna Puttalam Anuradhapura CHILAW Dedura Oya Kurunegala Kandy Negombo Colombo Adam's Peak Kataragama Galle Matara Figure 1.1 Map of Sri Lanka – xxiv –
Page 10
... Jaffna in the north has experienced an aggressive government military response to this militancy since 1981, with periods of control by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. In addition to their standing army, the Tigers maintain cadres ...
... Jaffna in the north has experienced an aggressive government military response to this militancy since 1981, with periods of control by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. In addition to their standing army, the Tigers maintain cadres ...
Page 15
... Jaffna ) , Konesvaram and Trincomalee ( in the north - east ) and Ramesvaram off the south- east coast of India . Collectively , these are the famous five Siva temples of the region and it is no accident that all are located on or near ...
... Jaffna ) , Konesvaram and Trincomalee ( in the north - east ) and Ramesvaram off the south- east coast of India . Collectively , these are the famous five Siva temples of the region and it is no accident that all are located on or near ...
Page 23
... Jaffna where he grew up , so he asked an uncle , one of the older priests , about it . The priest told him gently that Munnesvaram had mysteries not worth pursuing , and he did not pursue them ; not because he was warned off , but ...
... Jaffna where he grew up , so he asked an uncle , one of the older priests , about it . The priest told him gently that Munnesvaram had mysteries not worth pursuing , and he did not pursue them ; not because he was warned off , but ...
Page 29
... Jaffna Velala caste backgrounds whose family fortunes waxed during the British period when they figured prominently in the colonial bureaucracy. While it is reasonable to declare that the Bhadrakali temple has greater appeal to the poor ...
... Jaffna Velala caste backgrounds whose family fortunes waxed during the British period when they figured prominently in the colonial bureaucracy. While it is reasonable to declare that the Bhadrakali temple has greater appeal to the poor ...
Contents
| 1 | |
| 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
aesthetic Aiyanar annual festival arccanai articulation associated Astara Astara Devata bandara bathing rite becomes Bhadrakali temple Bhairavar Brahmins Buddhist revitalisation camphor caste Chapter chariot Chilaw coconut coconut game Colombo consciousness cosmic daily rites deities demonic described devotees Diseased King divine dynamic ethnic expression firewalking flag flagpole gaze goddess guardian hall ibid important inner road inner sanctum Jaffna Kali Kapferer 1997a Kataragama Kramrisch lamp linga Maradankulam Munnes Munnesvaram festival Munnesvaram priests Munnesvaram temple Murugan Navaratri Obeyesekere 1984 offerings Pattini performed Pillaiyar temple popular potency potentiality practice presence procession puja Purusa relation religious ritual sacrifice Saivism sakti sense shrine simply Sinh Sinhala Buddhist Sinhalese Siva social Somaskanda sorcery south Indian specific sponsor Sri Lanka Sri Lankan Tamil stress Suniyam Tamil Saivite Tamil Saivite temple Taniyavala temple complex temple festivals temple priests temple’s theme trance varam Visnu worship yantra