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
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Page 2
... temples to arrive at some general propositions about the historical importance of temples in South Asia. ... for others it is because Munnesvaram is one of the most important Siva temples in Sri Lanka, and for still others, ...
... temples to arrive at some general propositions about the historical importance of temples in South Asia. ... for others it is because Munnesvaram is one of the most important Siva temples in Sri Lanka, and for still others, ...
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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 ...
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'Miracle' does not convey such a dynamic interaction between the site as a site of the marvellous, a field of active power (Skt. ksetra), and the importance of the religious congregation in continually bringing this field of active ...
'Miracle' does not convey such a dynamic interaction between the site as a site of the marvellous, a field of active power (Skt. ksetra), and the importance of the religious congregation in continually bringing this field of active ...
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This is important because through their ownership the priests have remained instrumental in determining the nature and content of worship, and thereby lessened the excluding influence of major interest groups such as members of the ...
This is important because through their ownership the priests have remained instrumental in determining the nature and content of worship, and thereby lessened the excluding influence of major interest groups such as members of the ...
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In doing so, the book describes a vitally important aspect of Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. This is the coexistence and mutuality of the country's two dominant religions–Tamil Saivism and Sinhala Buddhism – interacting at a major centre ...
In doing so, the book describes a vitally important aspect of Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. This is the coexistence and mutuality of the country's two dominant religions–Tamil Saivism and Sinhala Buddhism – interacting at a major centre ...
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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 |