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
... Pillaiyar mohana ( Skt . ) – ' bewildering ' , a type of sorcery mokşa ( Skt . ) – release from existential fetters ( and rebirth ) mūlasthāna ( Skt . ) – mulasthanam ( Tm . ) – lit. ' root seat ' , alternative name for the temple inner ...
... Pillaiyar mohana ( Skt . ) – ' bewildering ' , a type of sorcery mokşa ( Skt . ) – release from existential fetters ( and rebirth ) mūlasthāna ( Skt . ) – mulasthanam ( Tm . ) – lit. ' root seat ' , alternative name for the temple inner ...
Page 19
... Pillaiyar temple). In addition, there was a shrine in the south side paddy fields used on certain festival occasions ... temple. In order of size and importance, the temples are, Munnesvaram temple Bhadrakali temple Pusparama ...
... Pillaiyar temple). In addition, there was a shrine in the south side paddy fields used on certain festival occasions ... temple. In order of size and importance, the temples are, Munnesvaram temple Bhadrakali temple Pusparama ...
Page 20
Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in Sri Lanka Rohan Bastin. Chilaw Pillaiyar Temple 5 Tamil-Medium School 4 Aiyanayake Temple N Bhadrakali Temple MUNNESVARAM 3 1 Tank Kurunegala Figure 2.1 Map of Munnesvaram 2 Pusparamaya ...
Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in Sri Lanka Rohan Bastin. Chilaw Pillaiyar Temple 5 Tamil-Medium School 4 Aiyanayake Temple N Bhadrakali Temple MUNNESVARAM 3 1 Tank Kurunegala Figure 2.1 Map of Munnesvaram 2 Pusparamaya ...
Page 21
... temple, but as such litigation generally moves very slowly in Sri Lanka, to date the situation remains unchanged. It remains to be seen whether the Munnesvaram priests would change the Pillaiyar temple were they to be successful in ...
... temple, but as such litigation generally moves very slowly in Sri Lanka, to date the situation remains unchanged. It remains to be seen whether the Munnesvaram priests would change the Pillaiyar temple were they to be successful in ...
Page 22
... temple entrance . Pusparamaya was built in the latter part of the nineteenth century . It contains a monks ... Pillaiyar . It is striking , therefore , that in a region known to be presided over by Aiyanar / Aiyanayake , the main ...
... temple entrance . Pusparamaya was built in the latter part of the nineteenth century . It contains a monks ... Pillaiyar . It is striking , therefore , that in a region known to be presided over by Aiyanar / Aiyanayake , the main ...
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
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