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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... performed by Berava specialists avatåra (Skt.) – incarnation (of Visnu) ayålaya (Sinh.) – vagrant åyudhapuja (Skt.) – offering of 'weapons' ayya (Tm.) – honorific title, 'lord' bali (Skt.) – sacrifice bali (Sinh.) – sacrifice but more ...
... performed at the Bhadrakali temple påñcala††i (Skt.) 'the five waves', the name of the final camphor lamp waved in the puja påñcamahåbhüti (Skt.) – the five elements panneer (Tm.) – flower and sandalwood infused water used in abhiseka ...
... performed during the annual festival so ̄hon (Sinh) – cemetery sthambana (Skt.) – 'paralysing', a type of sorcery sthambaman .∂apa (Skt.) – the temple (flag)pole hall sudalai (Tm.) – cremation ground süniyam (Tm.) – zero, also the act ...
... performed for bad planetary influence. The Bhadrakali temple is examined for the importance of sorcery or cursing, alleviation from sorcery, suspected or real, the general protection from the fierce goddess and the role of trance and ...
... performed. This leads others to shy away, not simply because of the prices of the rites, but also because of the presence of the wealthy, who both monopolise the time available in the day and create an atmosphere in which the poor and ...
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 |
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The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in ... Rohan Bastin No preview available - 2002 |