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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... of Worship 26 Temple Ownership 34 Chapter 3 Myths and Marginality 43 Rama Myth 45 The Myth of the Diseased King 47 Heritage or History? 51 Kali's Myth 53 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 – – vii Contents.
... Kali Guardians, Games and the Formation of Power The Village Guardian Myths of the Guardian Deities 59 60 64 65 67 69 70 73 76 81 89 90 92 93 95 101 103 108 110 117 117 123 127 129 133 134 141 145 147 150 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 ...
... , those who would see the contemporary temple in such terms would more likely blame it on the goddess Kali, for her devotees regularly fall into trance, curse their – 1– Chapter 1. Worship, Difference and Marvellous Potentiality.
... Kali temple in all Sri Lanka, for others it is because Munnesvaram is one of the most important Siva temples in Sri Lanka, and for still others, it is because the temple is their regional temple, a key element in their sense of regional ...
... Kali. A Tamil stonemason of Indian descent who lived and worked in Colombo had built the structure. Working for him on the day of the festival bathing rite was a Sinhala Buddhist deity priest who normally ran a small shrine to the ...
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 |
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The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in ... Rohan Bastin No preview available - 2002 |