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
Results 1-5 of 61
Page xi
... Sinhalese and Tamil Musicians 168 Cosmogenesis : Bathing the Flagpole 169 A Coconut Offering to the Temple Chariot 177 A Man Carries his Child over the Hot Coals of the Firewalking . The firewalking leader with the margosa pot on his ...
... Sinhalese and Tamil Musicians 168 Cosmogenesis : Bathing the Flagpole 169 A Coconut Offering to the Temple Chariot 177 A Man Carries his Child over the Hot Coals of the Firewalking . The firewalking leader with the margosa pot on his ...
Page xviii
... Sinhalese state prior to and during Euro- pean colonialism ; a korale consisted of a number of pattu which in turn consisted of a number of villages kşetra ( Skt . ) – field of power ( cultivated space ) kulam ( Tm . ) – irrigation tank ...
... Sinhalese state prior to and during Euro- pean colonialism ; a korale consisted of a number of pattu which in turn consisted of a number of villages kşetra ( Skt . ) – field of power ( cultivated space ) kulam ( Tm . ) – irrigation tank ...
Page 2
... Sinhalese – an ethnic community with a distinct language as well as other social and cultural differences to the Tamil. Despite such differences between Sinhalese and Tamil there are also significant areas of overlap, and one of the ...
... Sinhalese – an ethnic community with a distinct language as well as other social and cultural differences to the Tamil. Despite such differences between Sinhalese and Tamil there are also significant areas of overlap, and one of the ...
Page 7
... Sinhalese have been signif- icant throughout the twentieth century in separate religious revitalisation movements and associated ethnic politics. Both groups have been highly influen- tial in the Munnesvaram complex, but have not been ...
... Sinhalese have been signif- icant throughout the twentieth century in separate religious revitalisation movements and associated ethnic politics. Both groups have been highly influen- tial in the Munnesvaram complex, but have not been ...
Page 8
... Sinhalese. I am also concerned to show how Munnesvaram survives and thrives in such a situation as a Hindu temple. In doing so I hope to shed light on the nature of the Hindu temple and to explore the mar- vellous potentiality of Hindu ...
... Sinhalese. I am also concerned to show how Munnesvaram survives and thrives in such a situation as a Hindu temple. In doing so I hope to shed light on the nature of the Hindu temple and to explore the mar- vellous potentiality of Hindu ...
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