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 xix
... god Pillaiyar mohana (Skt.) – 'bewildering', a type of sorcery mokßa (Skt.) – release from existential fetters (and rebirth) mülasthċna (Skt.) – mulasthanam (Tm.) – lit. 'root seat', alternative name for the temple inner sanctum ...
... god Pillaiyar mohana (Skt.) – 'bewildering', a type of sorcery mokßa (Skt.) – release from existential fetters (and rebirth) mülasthċna (Skt.) – mulasthanam (Tm.) – lit. 'root seat', alternative name for the temple inner sanctum ...
Page 19
In the settlement there were four temples, five normal pilgrim rest houses and one pilgrim rest house that functioned as a temple (the Pillaiyar temple). In addition, there was a shrine in the south side paddy fields used on certain ...
In the settlement there were four temples, five normal pilgrim rest houses and one pilgrim rest house that functioned as a temple (the Pillaiyar temple). In addition, there was a shrine in the south side paddy fields used on certain ...
Page 20
Chilaw 4 1 5 Tamil-Medium School Tank MUNNESVARAM 3 Pillaiyar Temple Kurunegala 0 Aiyanayake Temple Bhadrakali Temple 50 100 150 m Figure 2.1 Map of Munnesvaram 2 N of the descendants of the artisans expanded this shrine and.
Chilaw 4 1 5 Tamil-Medium School Tank MUNNESVARAM 3 Pillaiyar Temple Kurunegala 0 Aiyanayake Temple Bhadrakali Temple 50 100 150 m Figure 2.1 Map of Munnesvaram 2 N of the descendants of the artisans expanded this shrine and.
Page 21
It remains to be seen whether the Munnesvaram priests would change the Pillaiyar temple were they to be successful in their litigation. The Aiyanayake temple is a Sinhala Buddhist deity shrine (Sinh. devale) for the god Aiyanayake who ...
It remains to be seen whether the Munnesvaram priests would change the Pillaiyar temple were they to be successful in their litigation. The Aiyanayake temple is a Sinhala Buddhist deity shrine (Sinh. devale) for the god Aiyanayake who ...
Page 22
... is the demonic younger brother of Aiyanar (Dirks 1987:297), a kinship that is also drawn between Virabhadra and Aiyanar when they are identified as the two minor sons of Siva, the two major sons being Murugan and Pillaiyar.
... is the demonic younger brother of Aiyanar (Dirks 1987:297), a kinship that is also drawn between Virabhadra and Aiyanar when they are identified as the two minor sons of Siva, the two major sons being Murugan and Pillaiyar.
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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 |
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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
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in Sri Lanka |
| Author | Rohan Bastin |
| Publisher | Berghahn Books, 2002 |
| ISBN | 1789203678, 9781789203677 |
| Length | 254 pages |
| Subjects | › › Religion / General Social Science / Anthropology / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |