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 85
... Deity Offerings in Sinhala Buddhism The Presence of Sakti The Goddess and Her 'Mountain' The Identity of Ambal and Kali Guardians, Games and the Formation of Power The Village Guardian Myths of the Guardian Deities 59 60 64 65 67 69 70 ...
... Deities of its Six Cakras Features of the Aesthetic of Piling Down The Progression of Puja Lamps The Sri Cakra Spatial Arrangement of Female Divinity at Munnesvaram The Maradankulam Aiyanar Temple Map of Munnesvaram Showing Processions ...
... deities usually connected to historical figures ban∂hana (Sinh.) – 'binding', a common form of sorcery Berava (Sinh.) – caste of ritual specialists and drummers bhadra (Skt.). – auspicious bhadralin ga (Skt.) – auspicious linga image ...
... deity temple devasthåna (Skt.) – 'god's seat' (a temple) de ̄vatå (Sinh.) – class of minor interstitial deities with fierce and demonic characteristics de ̄vatåvå (Sinh.) – singular of devata de ̄viyo (Sinh.) – epithet for deity distiya ...
... deity/demon Süniyam kalå (Skt.) – parts; kalå – black kalañci (Tm.) – the return offering to festival patrons ... deity rites kåppu (Tm.) – protective thread tied around a person or deity's wrist kapumahattaya (Sinh.) – deity priest, lit ...
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 |