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 2
In order to do so, I shall argue closely through my ethnography on the Munnesvaram temples to arrive at some general propositions about the historical importance of temples in South Asia. Munnesvaram is a complex that draws (and repels) ...
In order to do so, I shall argue closely through my ethnography on the Munnesvaram temples to arrive at some general propositions about the historical importance of temples in South Asia. Munnesvaram is a complex that draws (and repels) ...
Page 4
Their participation in such worship is a feature of what has been labelled for a different but closely related religious context in Sri Lanka as 'bhakti religiosity' (Obeyesekere 1978), or as evidence of 'Hinduizing trends' in ...
Their participation in such worship is a feature of what has been labelled for a different but closely related religious context in Sri Lanka as 'bhakti religiosity' (Obeyesekere 1978), or as evidence of 'Hinduizing trends' in ...
Page 6
In the following chapters I examine the Munnesvaram temples closely and offer an account of key features of the temples as aesthetic objects involving both design and rite. I stress the dynamism of which the bathing rite bo tree is one ...
In the following chapters I examine the Munnesvaram temples closely and offer an account of key features of the temples as aesthetic objects involving both design and rite. I stress the dynamism of which the bathing rite bo tree is one ...
Page 18
Some time after his death, Taniyavala became one of the Sinhala Buddhist bandara or custodian deities with a very popular shrine at the edge of Madampe town (Bell 1920).8 The nature of this deity is closely linked with the regional ...
Some time after his death, Taniyavala became one of the Sinhala Buddhist bandara or custodian deities with a very popular shrine at the edge of Madampe town (Bell 1920).8 The nature of this deity is closely linked with the regional ...
Page 22
In certain respects, the demonic Munisvara fits more closely with the status of the god Siva in the Sinhala Buddhist pantheon where he is known as Isvara. Isvara is a marginal figure who plays a secondary role to his sons Murugan (in ...
In certain respects, the demonic Munisvara fits more closely with the status of the god Siva in the Sinhala Buddhist pantheon where he is known as Isvara. Isvara is a marginal figure who plays a secondary role to his sons Murugan (in ...
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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 |
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
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 |