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 1
... obvious missionary zeal that colours this account, provides a certain kind of understanding of Munnesvaram that resonates with, and indeed contributes to, certain contemporary orientations to the temples of the Munnesvaram complex.
... obvious missionary zeal that colours this account, provides a certain kind of understanding of Munnesvaram that resonates with, and indeed contributes to, certain contemporary orientations to the temples of the Munnesvaram complex.
Page 2
I examine the relation between the temple and its world in order to explore the interactive dynamism of a complex South Asian society and its techniques and expressions of social and cultural articulation. My focus is the temple complex ...
I examine the relation between the temple and its world in order to explore the interactive dynamism of a complex South Asian society and its techniques and expressions of social and cultural articulation. My focus is the temple complex ...
Page 3
lence, was raised repeatedly by this apparent unity of religious purpose at a single temple complex. I stress this apparent sense, however, for while at one moment the fluidity of social and religious categories appears to be asserted ...
lence, was raised repeatedly by this apparent unity of religious purpose at a single temple complex. I stress this apparent sense, however, for while at one moment the fluidity of social and religious categories appears to be asserted ...
Page 4
The related context is the Saivite/Buddhist temple complex of Kataragama; the most important temple complex of its kind in all Sri Lanka and one that bears comparison with Munnesvaram in several respects that will be explored in the ...
The related context is the Saivite/Buddhist temple complex of Kataragama; the most important temple complex of its kind in all Sri Lanka and one that bears comparison with Munnesvaram in several respects that will be explored in the ...
Page 6
To do this I begin with the social composition of the body of worshippers and I examine the nature of the physical location of the Munnesvaram complex in the religious topography of the island. The social composition of worship raises ...
To do this I begin with the social composition of the body of worshippers and I examine the nature of the physical location of the Munnesvaram complex in the religious topography of the island. The social composition of worship raises ...
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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 |